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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivity
Mixed into the Semiquincentennial festivities are other milestone birthdays.
—
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Hosting in the off-season also takes the holiday pressure off—people aren’t festivity-fatigued and are more likely to be in town and free.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Fake snow cascaded down on the ballpark as the retractable roof opened during pregame festivities, which included both players walking to the ice from their respective dugouts to a performance from Grammy-award winner Luis Fonsi.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
As holiday festivities come to an end, keep spirits high in the new year by checking out a few food and drink-focused events.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026
Hosting in the off-season also takes the holiday pressure off—people aren’t festivity-fatigued and are more likely to be in town and free.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Fake snow cascaded down on the ballpark as the retractable roof opened during pregame festivities, which included both players walking to the ice from their respective dugouts to a performance from Grammy-award winner Luis Fonsi.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2026
As holiday festivities come to an end, keep spirits high in the new year by checking out a few food and drink-focused events.
—Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
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As Milchick, Tillman infused an unnerving cheerfulness into Lumon Industries’ macrodata refinement supervisor, a character who became increasingly central in Season 2.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Her vivacious attitude connects her with Aries (Stacey’s actual birthday is April 3) due to her fearlessness and cheerfulness in situations, no matter what is thrown at her.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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From shearling and calf hair to beading and fuzzy fringe, discover the elements that transform everyday dressing into an immersive celebration of imagination and personal style, ahead.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
9 Nov. 2025
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One of the world’s most prestigious art events, Miami Art Week began with Art Basel Miami Beach in 2002 and has since grown into a citywide celebration that draws nearly 80,000 art lovers and tastemakers.—
Staff Author,
Southern Living,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Their everlasting merrymaking might seem warm and fuzzy at first glance, but in truth, there is a gloomy undercurrent to their existence, hiding just beneath the surface.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
25 May 2025
-
Alternatively, the Perry Lane Hotel, as well as the brand-new, Ann Savannah, will put you in the heart of the merrymaking.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Comments filled with glee and heart emojis, and viewers chimed in from Ireland and London, from Nigeria and Rwanda and Uganda, from Harlem and Arkansas.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
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His freewheeling political rallies and frothy social media presence were, and continue to be, a source of great glee to his fans and followers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Below, Holmes speaks to Deadline in depth about the festival’s first 15 years of operations, including her battles with studios and distributors to secure films, programming across the film and art space, and her plans for the festival’s future.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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The festival featured a range of 252 titles (comprising features, shorts, series and immersive works) hailing from 79 countries this year, with 41 percent of works from female and non-binary filmmakers.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The filmmaker captures in the film the jubilation of Allied troops going home and even a sense of revelry in Nuremberg.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Only seven miles away from the Red Lodge's classic main street, the mountain is the perfect choice for those looking to combine a ski getaway with shopping, Western history, saloon revelry, and good-old-fashioned small-town hospitality.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
-
When the citrus trees come alive with ripe fruit in December, join in the merriment at the Orange Festival.—
Kristy Christiansen,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
When winter seems to stretch on and on—and our homes feel suddenly bare inside—the best way to beat the blues is by bringing a little cheer inside.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Nail a half-court shot on the elementary school court and get a cheer from the other kids.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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