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
Nantucket’s town/county government is still scheduled to hold its Independence Day festivities, with a fireworks display capping off the day-long celebration.
—
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
The city has added another option, likely aimed at local attendees who would like to drive and park during the soccer celebration festivities.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
While members of the royal family are expected to attend the wedding, some will not be part of the festivities.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
The city of Lauderhill will kick off the World Cup festivities with an all-day event Saturday, June 6, at Lauderhill Sports Park, 7500 Oakland Park Blvd.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026
The city has added another option, likely aimed at local attendees who would like to drive and park during the soccer celebration festivities.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026
While members of the royal family are expected to attend the wedding, some will not be part of the festivities.
—Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
The city of Lauderhill will kick off the World Cup festivities with an all-day event Saturday, June 6, at Lauderhill Sports Park, 7500 Oakland Park Blvd.
—Joan Murray, CBS News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
Wine-Coca conduces to mental activity and clearness, prevents fatigue and exhaustion, brings cheerfulness and sweet refreshing sleep.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
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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
Noun
-
Some sponsors have pulled out of the celebrations Last year, some big corporations stopped contributing to Pride events.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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Initially this brought an overdue celebration of figures, like Fred Eversley, Jack Whitten, and Howardena Pindell, who had been working within high-modernist modes but had been discriminated against by white curators, dealers, and critics.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 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
-
Oh, there were so many birds in the sky—flipped with glee when a referee called offside and overturned a Celtic FC goal in front of a frenzied crowd of 50,000 on a chilly, overcast day at Glasgow's Ibrox Stadium.—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
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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
Noun
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While the film’s presence at the festival has sparked some controversy, Tribeca co-founder Jane Rosenthal defended the move to Variety, claiming the film should be looked at within the context of the ongoing Iran war.—
Corbin Bolies,
Variety,
3 June 2026
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On the feature side, the festival includes three competitions for narrative, documentary, and international films, with other sections devoted to cutting-edge cinema in Viewpoints and a substantial short film program.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Additionally, Cambodian funerals and weddings, which are often hosted at home, can involve early morning prayers and late-night revelry that neighbors are sure to hear.—
Kevin Brouillard,
Travel + Leisure,
28 May 2026
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Further down the coast, the final day of Fiesta Hermosa took a short break from the live music and revelry to honor those who served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
25 May 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
-
Moments after the initial results were posted Tuesday evening, a smattering of cheers arose from a crowd of dozens of prosecutors, inspectors and at least two Alameda County supervisors who gathered at Jones Dickson’s watch party in Oakland.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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The roll call Wednesday was 215-208, and cheers erupted in the House chamber.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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