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
-
Expect this one to get lively quick.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Women in brightly colored dresses danced in shoes that loudly clicked across the floor.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
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Those stars burn through their fuel quickly, shine brightly, and then — overwhelmingly — end their lives in a core-collapse supernova.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Miami happily obliged and thrived.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The actor is happily married to his longtime wife, Tomasina Tate.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Likewise, reflect on a series of twelve portraits in which three young white men, Matsura, and his friend Cecil Jim (niece of the imposing Chiliwhist Jim) assume different pairings and playfully switch hats.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Listeners don’t have to understand Spanish in order to feel the passion by McFly, who playfully strums her guitar.—
David J. Bohnet,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Eighteen years on from her international debut in Osaka in 2007, her final bow taking place in Tokyo means Fraser-Pryce’s career is neatly bookended by World Championships in Japan.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
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Solving Messy, Unclear Problems Not every challenge at work comes neatly labeled with instructions.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
13 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 15 Sep. 2025.
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