Definition of gaynext
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as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor had a gay old time at the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gay contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gay are animated, lively, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is it sensible to use animated instead of gay?

The words animated and gay can be used in similar contexts, but animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When might lively be a better fit than gay?

In some situations, the words lively and gay are roughly equivalent. However, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When would sprightly be a good substitute for gay?

While the synonyms sprightly and gay are close in meaning, sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When is vivacious a more appropriate choice than gay?

The synonyms vivacious and gay are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
Adjective
  • The latest entry in Disney and Pixar’s beloved animated franchise is targeting a debut of $145 million to $150 million from 4,400 North American theaters.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 June 2026
  • In recent years, Hollywood decided adult comedies were not good bets in movie theaters, and instead focused heavily on superheroes and animated films.
    Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • This nonchalant maneuver enables Jefferson to extol America as the seat and refuge of liberty over and against the contradictions of the hour.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 June 2026
  • Behind the black shades, the 22-year-old looked like a mirror image of her mom, channeling Paltrow's signature nonchalant pose.
    Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 June 2026
Adjective
  • Our leads will be abandoning the mean streets of New York City for merry old London.
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
  • Starr and his band of merry men would deliver a 100-minute-plus show that was filled with 22 great tunes that most everyone in the house knew by heart.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Adjective
  • This tiger red balayage on a brunette base is as cheerful as a sunny day.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
  • Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Shortly before the opening of Nasdaq trading on Friday, Elon Musk stepped in front of a cheerful crowd at SpaceX’s company town in Texas.
    Jordan Novet,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Just use Dubhe and Merak, the two bright stars in the front edge of the pot of the Big Dipper, opposite the handle, as pointer stars to Polaris.
    Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 14 June 2026
  • Initial crowds were eager to watch the twisty conspiracy thriller on the biggest and brightest screens, with premium large formats representing a mighty 48% of grosses.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sweet orange and tangerine in particular are showing up as accessible, joyful entry points for anyone who wants a scent that does a little extra work.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • As my character waited, the mood was joyful.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • Actually, these are anything but those same White Sox that wallowed in all that misery the last three years — but rather a team of young, energetic grinders, the product of a near-total roster overhaul by general manager Chris Getz.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
  • However, the problem is that almost all nuclear energy transitions are far too energetic to be controlled with lasers.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026
Adjective
  • Oh, to be a little carefree child again running barefoot through the summer days.
    Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026
  • Robinson’s personal effort to reclaim her joy quickly struck a chord with other women who longed to reconnect with the carefree days of their youth.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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