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
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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
As of last month, the county was aiming to have a groundbreaking or ceremonial event for the square and tree in July as part of the 250th anniversary festivities, with plans to start construction after and complete the project in 2028.
—
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Rose Chung rehearses for a cultural procession that helps kick off San Francisco's Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month festivities at the Herbst Theater.
—Sharon Chin, CBS News, 14 May 2026
As things heat up in the greater Orlando area, the winter event season winds down while new festivities help the community have fun in the sun.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
For 2026, the festivities kick off on June 11.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Rose Chung rehearses for a cultural procession that helps kick off San Francisco's Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month festivities at the Herbst Theater.
—Sharon Chin, CBS News, 14 May 2026
As things heat up in the greater Orlando area, the winter event season winds down while new festivities help the community have fun in the sun.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 May 2026
For 2026, the festivities kick off on June 11.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
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This kind of optimism and cheerfulness can make leaders more empathetic and pleasant to work with, partly because psychology research finds that positive moods increase helping, generosity and interpersonal understanding.—
Aditya Simha,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
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Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Subsequent photos showed the proud parents smiling in the audience as their daughter walked across the stage to collect her degree, Zahra alongside her friends in their graduation regalia and a glimpse at a family celebration.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
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Where are the best bakeries to buy celebration cakes?—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 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
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Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
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There’s an element of sadistic, John Simonesque glee to his attacks on the personal appearances of actors.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Managers attacking journalists usually ends one way, and, predictably, Bild spent the rest of the weekend reporting with glee on Frankfurt’s defeat and poor form.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
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While the economics of independent film are constantly in flux, the importance of festivals as curators who can connect quality films with passionate audiences is as important as ever.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
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Thatcher said the festival itself remains an intense but productive environment.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
Noun
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Through scenes of gossip, frolicking and even a foot chase as cops try to shut the revelry down, Basholli introduces her setting (Prishtina, Kosovo in the late ‘90s) as though the audience were an eager participant in every conversation, and privy to the girls’ secrets.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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Junkanoo revelry is dedicated to the dead, and here Munroe commemorates Beadle through a series of paintings depicting a memorial procession based on photographs by the Bahamian photographer Jackson Petit, as well as through Beadle’s material legacy.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Lanie breaks into the merriment.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The hearing room broke into emotional cheers Tuesday evening when the Sacramento County Board of Education voted to overturn Twin Rivers Unified School District’s decision to revoke the charter for Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools, preventing the schools from being forcibly closed.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
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Someone would start a cheer, others would join in, and the commotion would attract a new wave of attention, phones open to streaming apps, the entire scene straddling the line between performance and audience.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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