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
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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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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
Adjective
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The popularity of the cards led to the creation of a toy line, which then spurred animated TV specials and, eventually, a TV series.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026 -
The animated film about a teenager who becomes a beaver to save her animal friends from a freeway construction project pulled in $88 million globally, including $46 million in North America.—
G. Allen Johnson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Scott inflicts Ohm’s nonchalant meanness with a piercingly perverse matter-of-factness that places the character as far away as possible from the realm of likeability.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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Margot Robbie’s understanding of the assignment is evident, her fringe frame coupled with a low and loosely bound ponytail (another hallmark of the nonchalant set).—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These are the chapters that feature the merry trickster of the forest, Tom Bombadil, a classic fiddle-dee-dee-mischief type who waylays the hobbits at the onset of their quest.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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In Don’t Get High, an alpha dork and her merry gang of dweebs start an anti-drug group at their high school to make friends and influence people.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The less cheerful part of all this is that Great America is unlikely to celebrate a 52nd birthday.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
For generations of Valley families, this scene has unfolded at Castles N' Coasters, a cheerful outpost of fun in the desert that lives in nearly everyone's memory.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Having undergone an extensive 2024 renovation, each of the 259 rooms (including 42 suites) are bright and airy, with textures and colors inspired by the Canadian landscape.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
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Beyer, who has a warm smile and bright-pink glasses, did not hide her satisfaction.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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However, Stephen Cottrell, the archbishop of York - the second most senior bishop in the Church of England - told NPR that the occasion marking Mullally's installation as the archbishop of Canterbury was a joyful one.—
Robbie Griffiths,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
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Lightweight floral print dresses can be worn under (or over) a collared shirt in a contrasting hue for some joyful juxtaposition.—
Kelsey Stiegman,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Those two youngsters happen to be a happily engaged, and happily naive, couple, and the series plays out exploring the dynamics between the two relationships, one young, loving and energetic, the other old, tired and toxic.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
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To support the flight, there has been a sharpening of space weather forecasting skills — an ability to better gauge the sun's activity and to help assure crew safety if a hazardous uptick in solar action rears its energetic head.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The surf-and-turf destination is purpose-built for breezy evenings and a carefree retirement.—
Elazar Sontag,
Washington Post,
26 Mar. 2026
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On my headphones plays the music of Gilberto Gil, upbeat and carefree.—
Stephanie Rafanelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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