variants
also gayly
1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
we sat around the table, gaily teasing each other and laughing about the good old days
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lively
in a quick and spirited manner
children gaily running to the buses on the last day of school
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brightly
in a manner that is colorful and tends to arouse gaiety
the Mexican dancers were gaily dressed in lavish, bright costumes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gaily
The butterflies enter first, quivering gaily atop their sticks.
—
Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023
Keep us gaily making pins!
—Kim Phillips-Fein, The New Republic, 27 Feb. 2023
With the Meyerson gaily festooned for the holiday season, there were lighting effects and some projections.
—Dallas News, 26 Nov. 2022
Peer into their forbidding black hoods and gaily stitched pieces of hot-pink woolen felt inside invite unexpected visual caresses.
—Christopher Knightart Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gaily
Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2023
Keep us gaily making pins!
—Kim Phillips-Fein, The New Republic, 27 Feb. 2023
With the Meyerson gaily festooned for the holiday season, there were lighting effects and some projections.
—Dallas News, 26 Nov. 2022
Peer into their forbidding black hoods and gaily stitched pieces of hot-pink woolen felt inside invite unexpected visual caresses.
—Christopher Knightart Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for gaily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaily
Adverb
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In the film, Maddie cheerfully navigates the politics of her jealous co-worker (Claudia O’Doherty), exacting boss (Connor O’Malley) and lesbian BFF (Berlant) at the sunny studios of Gourmaybe.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
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The song cheerfully encourages kids to use the potty at pivotal times throughout the day—namely before heading to school and before climbing in bed at the end of the day.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
27 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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Behind them were two rows of brightly colored kayaks emerging from the low-lying fog.—
Debra Utacia Krol,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
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Zones 3-9 The brightly colored flowers of Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale), with their delicate, papery petals, bloom in mid to late spring, sometimes until early summer.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The Sound Of Music turns 60 this year – and Disney has happily opted to celebrate the occasion by remastering the film in 4K resolution and high dynamic range for a worldwide re-release at the cinema and on 4K Blu-ray disc.—
John Archer,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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With the family’s four dogs barking in the background, the actor, 43, happily leans into any disruptions.—
Julie Jordan,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Venus Williams playfully shaded her former doubles partner and sister Serena during the US Open.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
3 Sep. 2025
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Between her huge mane of hair and his white cowboy hat, Gaga and Mars playfully evoked '70s country music duos.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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This little case keeps rings, necklaces, and earrings neatly tucked away, so nothing gets tangled—or worse, left behind.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
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Despite the glossy subject matter, Winocour neatly sidesteps clichés, instead searching for quiet moments that give the story emotional resonance.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Shot in a colorfully naturalistic style by Irina Lubtchansky (My Golden Days), the film occasionally switches to what looks like Super 8mm, capturing the action more intimately and playfully.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Aug. 2025
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One expert, reflecting on personal experience, put it more colorfully.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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The song's interplay between choir and orchestra is buoyantly euphoric, opening a door to bolder, more intentionally progressive and soulful sounds in the country's mainstream.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaily. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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