1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement
couples dancing a gay, fast-paced jig
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonchalant
having or showing freedom from worries or trouble
a gay, thoughtless girl who didn't care whether her work was done or not
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
had a gay old time at the party
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4
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition
with a gay toss of his coat over his shoulder, the dapper old gentleman set off for the party
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5
as in bright
serving to lift one's spirits
the skylark's gay song lifted me out of my gloom
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6
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
it was the era of the flappers, and young women were gay, bold, and defiant of convention
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gay
At 92, the Broadway icon (who came out as gay at 82) is preparing to auction off a lifetime of keepsakes.
—
Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Activists like Dennis Peron, a gay rights advocate and cannabis pioneer, were instrumental in pushing for medical marijuana legalization in California during the 1990s.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 17 June 2025
There weren’t examples of a gay life, and there definitely weren’t examples of bisexual women.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
One study estimates nearly half of the gay men in the city had been diagnosed with AIDS by 1995.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Activists like Dennis Peron, a gay rights advocate and cannabis pioneer, were instrumental in pushing for medical marijuana legalization in California during the 1990s.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 17 June 2025
There weren’t examples of a gay life, and there definitely weren’t examples of bisexual women.
—Merve Emre, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
One study estimates nearly half of the gay men in the city had been diagnosed with AIDS by 1995.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
Adjective
-
And yet, no animated film has had quite the staying power as Spirited Away, which seems likely to make the overall list’s top ten and featured on the lists of Bryce Dallas Howard, Molly Ringwald, and John Turturro.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 June 2025
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But The Times reported that Depp became more animated when talking about his public battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard, which involved two messy, salacious court fights that focused on her physical abuse allegations and his excessive drinking.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Actress January Jones channeled Isabel Marant’s nonchalant French-girl style by wearing an oversized sweater and cutoff jean shorts to a dinner hosted by the designer.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 June 2025
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The partnership marks a stylistic evolution for White, who previously channeled classic Americana and nonchalant cool in campaigns for Calvin Klein.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Will the market continue to trudge along its merry path?—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
-
This merry, hour-long holiday extravaganza will be stacked with gifts for Bravo fans and feature a number of Yuletide Bravolebrity performances.—
Samantha Stutsman,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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That sort of homey detail and Karl’s cheerful disposition belie the ghastly stories that her memory holds, the ones her guest has come to hear — and capture on film.—
Christine DiMattei,
Sun Sentinel,
18 June 2025
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But thanks to the marketers of marigolds, trumpet vines, and hydrangeas, my once-bleak inbox now also blushes with cheerful pastels.—
Danny Heitman,
Christian Science Monitor,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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After all, when the sun is so bright and the water so warm, who would ever want the summer to end?—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
The Royals are betting Cruz’s future remains bright.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Here are even more opportunities to honor Stonewall’s legacy while pushing for a more just and joyful future.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
One Cut of the Dead is a joyful, exuberant (and fittingly scrappy) celebration of zombie movie-makers.—
James Grebey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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The seven players on the active roster who were in the lineup at some point during the playoffs who had not won the Stanley Cup before Tuesday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
18 June 2025
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OpenAI had 500 million weekly active users as of the end of March.—
Kanishka Singh,
USA Today,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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In a carefree video, the supermodel frolicked on the beach, all smiles in a two-piece swimsuit.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2025
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What started as a carefree girls' trip was nearly fatal for 34-year-old Emily Jansson, a Canadian woman who suffered a massive pulmonary embolism midair during a long-haul flight.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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