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
The guests, influenced by a secondhand spirit of festivity, ordered a round of Melonades, a refreshing, bittersweet concoction of vodka, lemon, and cantaloupe, topped with a heap of crushed ice.
—
Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
The night before, celebrities helped kick off F1 festivities in a big way over in Surfside, at a Sports Illustrated bash for the ages.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
The Ridge Historic District, known for its many historic homes, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with 61 new banners commemorating its place in history, as well as some festivities.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The nearly 100-year-old tradition is celebrated with pageants at schools and other festivities.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
The night before, celebrities helped kick off F1 festivities in a big way over in Surfside, at a Sports Illustrated bash for the ages.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026
The Ridge Historic District, known for its many historic homes, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with 61 new banners commemorating its place in history, as well as some festivities.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
The nearly 100-year-old tradition is celebrated with pageants at schools and other festivities.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The attack, which left 15 dead at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, fueled calls for tougher gun controls and more action to tackle hatred towards Jews and followed a spate of antisemitic incidents in Australia.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
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Named as a nod to the geography and industry of our county and region, the SAND + STEEL Art Fest is a free, three-day celebration of local artistic creativity and talent.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Just for Fun Driven largely by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, a wave of playful merrymaking that embraces maximalism, humor, and individuality is on the rise, Michaels reports.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But there’s no schadenfreude watching her squeeze into a middle seat, no glee in her comeuppance.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There is always glee in Washington in advance of royal visits.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ticket discounts end Wednesday, and full-price tickets will be on sale while supplies last, according to the festival website.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
Bentley and Kwedar will also develop a slate with up-and-coming filmmakers selected from the world’s top festivals and film schools.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The commemoration of May 5 lasts longer than a day, though, as the city throws a fair for several weeks, extending the revelry with a long lineup of artists, rides, performances, crafts exhibitions, and food.—
Christin Parcerisa Vigueras,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
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The unique revelry was appropriate for the rising star who has made headlines by angering veterans with aggressive moves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Their laughs and chatter fill the countryside and one another’s hearts, the merriment binding them all together like caterpillars in one big cocoon.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Lanie breaks into the merriment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Wattson, the Kromfohrlander who stars as Copernicus, trotted out (in a tuxedo) with his trainer to audience cheers and applause.—
Abby Stern,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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The celebratory announcement was met with cheers and sighs of relief, appearing to solidify the team’s home for the next three decades.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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