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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 movie, created with partners Native Foreign and Vertigo Films, is being produced in just nine months on a budget under $30 million—far less than typical animated features—and is slated to debut at Cannes before a global 2026 release.
    Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The animated series touches on the relationships between fathers and sons, prompting Yeun, as the lead actor, to reflect on his own fatherhood journey.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Warren, in his typically nonchalant fashion, downplayed his early impact in the Colts’ offense.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Faced with punishment from school administrators, Westman appeared alternately nervous and nonchalant, the former employee said.
    Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • From a massive 9-foot fir to a charming 3-foot tabletop tree, score up to 58% off a one-time buy that’ll last for years of merry memories.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
  • While Materialists sticks to the bounds of its love triangle, Splitsville suggests the more, the merrier.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The YouTuber greets everyone — fan on the street, friend, foe, sitting Congressmen, and unsuspecting Rolling Stone staffer — the same, with a cheerful smile and an already rolling camera crew.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The pet supplement space is crowded with options, many of which have cheerful packaging and confident claims, yet little transparency about efficacy.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Pixel’s Magic Editor leverages generative AI tools, which can remove objects in the background, alter lighting, and realistically change the entire mood of a phone (a bright middary sun can easily be compensated for).
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Academy graduate Charlie Tasker is a bright prospect.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In a joyful and unexpected twist, Zimmerer even had the honor of being the flower girl.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The transformation from investment banker to mental health advocate wasn't exactly a joyful moment for Miller.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Speaking of the 2023 playoffs, the Rangers active 28-man roster features only three players who were also on their ‘23 postseason roster.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To qualify for a portion of the county arts funding, organizations must be active 501(c)3 entities, located and operating in Milwaukee County, organized for the primary purpose of producing or presenting the arts, and open to the general public, according to the county's application terms.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Handcrafted swings made from local olive wood hang throughout the resort, evoking a sense of innocence and carefree luxury.
    Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Cata and her sister Eva (Martina García) are spending a carefree summer at their grandparents’ house in Mallorca when suddenly their beloved grandmother Catalina (Marta Angelat) dies, and their innocent holiday, as well as this movie, takes a tragic turn.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
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 12 Sep. 2025.

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