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
On a warm Sunday afternoon in February, the Huntington Library was packed with Lunar New Year festivities and early spring fever.
—
Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The festivities may have been different on Friday, but the result was the same as on Wednesday.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Opening Day festivities in Cincinnati ended with a series of disturbances Thursday evening that prompted police armed with nonlethal shotguns, pepper spray and riot shields to shut down The Banks and send hundreds of revelers home early.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
There will need to be a division, stating which family is responsible for which festivity each year.
—Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Kamren Curiel, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The festivities may have been different on Friday, but the result was the same as on Wednesday.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
Opening Day festivities in Cincinnati ended with a series of disturbances Thursday evening that prompted police armed with nonlethal shotguns, pepper spray and riot shields to shut down The Banks and send hundreds of revelers home early.
—David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Mar. 2026
There will need to be a division, stating which family is responsible for which festivity each year.
—Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 26 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
-
Schoolteachers are girding to address students’ questions, anger and confusion over a figure whose name and books are deeply embedded in state curriculum and celebrations.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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Join us at the Four Seasons for a celebration where cuisine meets culture.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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The shout of glee at the news that Christopher Kane is the new creative director at Mulberry was practically audible across London this morning.—
Sarah Mower,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
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Sounds like a Sean Payton guy, particularly considering his glee in talking pass-protection.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Special late-night trains depart about an hour after each show on each day of the music festival.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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From the sweet and pungent Cipolla Rossa di Tropea festival in Ricadi to chestnut fairs in the mountains, these gatherings are a lively, delicious way to connect with the region’s culture and flavors.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ahead, shop our selection of bachelorette-ready outfits, curated to carry you effortlessly from breezy daytime hikes to nights of revelry in style.—
Sarah Zendejas,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2026
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Portuguese colonisers brought their celebratory traditions to Brazil in the 17th century, marking a time of revelry in the run-up to Lent (‘carne vale’ means ‘farewell to meat’ in Latin).—
Laura French,
TheWeek,
18 Mar. 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
-
Or embrace a tight playoff race and cheer for Team Chaos.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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Fittingly, the summit’s resemblance to summer camp fostered a mood of compulsory cheer.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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