1
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
rather than mourn our friend's death we celebrated his life, and his memorial service was more notable for its festivity than its funereal gloom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in merrymaking
joyful or festive activity
in keeping with their habit of doing everything in a big way, the couple's wedding will entail a whole weekend of festivity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivity
Opening Day festivities also featured around 40 silent auction baskets donated by the teams.
—
Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Amidst the Super Bowl festivities, the Bay emphasized its tech might with a new Innovation Summit, which could become an annual tentpole.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Australia repeated its opening game heroics, pulling off another upset to begin the festivities for the second consecutive tournament.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The event’s biggest festivity — the Grand Tasting — takes place on Saturday night with sips of more than 100 wines and a few craft beer and cocktail offerings, paired with light bites from Charlotte-area restaurants.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Amidst the Super Bowl festivities, the Bay emphasized its tech might with a new Innovation Summit, which could become an annual tentpole.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Australia repeated its opening game heroics, pulling off another upset to begin the festivities for the second consecutive tournament.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
The event’s biggest festivity — the Grand Tasting — takes place on Saturday night with sips of more than 100 wines and a few craft beer and cocktail offerings, paired with light bites from Charlotte-area restaurants.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Raines replied, her usual cheerfulness stepping up a notch.—
Rebecca Boone,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Pinch-hitter Logan Wade followed with a game-ending popout to Moon, and the first baseman threw his glove high in celebration.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Faith observances during historic milestones Trump isn’t the only president to discuss religion during a major milestone celebration.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
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The merrymaking vibes are cemented with a glowing carousel, nativity scenes (belénes), and loads of handcrafted ornaments and gifts to choose from.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert could not contain his glee.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The former Nuggets guard danced around Ball Arena with glee throughout a 6-for-7 shooting game and was even bold enough to confront 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas after taking exception to a foul.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While their genre peers’ fates have varied, Mumford & Sons remained perennial arena and festival headliners, with an ambitious midcareer streak in the studio.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Ty Dolla $ign and Buffalo rapper Benny the Butcher will bolster the hip-hop lineup, while electronic producer ZHU and Chicago DJ and producer Hiroko Yamamura round out the festival’s dance programming.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Marathon Key Avoid the revelry of Key West’s Duval Street during spring break, and instead stay 1 hour north in Marathon Key where the focus is on natural beauty and family-friendly activities.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
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Turner kept the revelry going from the getting ready suite with her best friends to a huge London venue, which appeared to be decorated with a whimsical space theme.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There was food, drink and merriment of all stripes.—
Brian Barth,
Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2026
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The whole family will find merriment in hopping aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a four-hour, 26-mile, round-trip journey that begins and ends at the historic depot in Blue Ridge.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The fans even got eight free Chick-Fil-A free chicken nuggets due to Caleb Martin missing two straight fourth-quarter free throws, which drew one of the evening’s biggest cheers.—
Scott Fowler
March 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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Stacked in a pile or hanging from hooks—they’re a fun punch of color to add to any space that needs some cheer.—
Ashley Poskin,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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