1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement
couples dancing a gay, fast-paced jig
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
it was the era of the flappers, and young women were gay, bold, and defiant of convention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in glee
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
the melancholy-tinged gayness of college-bound friends on their last fling together before going their separate ways
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of gay
Madelyn Harrington, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
According to a Gallup poll from May, more than two in three Americans support it, and nearly as many say gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 26 June 2025
When the president’s spokesperson comes out swinging against gay people, young gay people are going to get damaged.
—Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Goldberg fired back by saying that hate crimes against gay and Black people happen in the U.S. as well.
Griffin, who served in the Trump White House during his first presidency, argued that the way women and minorities are treated in the U.S. is no way comparable to what such groups endure in Iran.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Adjective
Four years before the Stonewall uprising, Scott’s case created critical protections for gay federal employees and helped end the Lavender Scare, the Cold War campaign to remove gay workers from the federal government.
—Madelyn Harrington, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
According to a Gallup poll from May, more than two in three Americans support it, and nearly as many say gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 26 June 2025
When the president’s spokesperson comes out swinging against gay people, young gay people are going to get damaged.
—Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Goldberg fired back by saying that hate crimes against gay and Black people happen in the U.S. as well.
Griffin, who served in the Trump White House during his first presidency, argued that the way women and minorities are treated in the U.S. is no way comparable to what such groups endure in Iran.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
Adjective
-
But The Times reported that Depp became more animated when talking about his public battles with his ex-wife Amber Heard, which involved two messy, salacious court fights that focused on her physical abuse allegations and his excessive drinking.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
24 June 2025
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And yet, no animated film has had quite the staying power as Spirited Away, which seems likely to make the overall list’s top ten and featured on the lists of Bryce Dallas Howard, Molly Ringwald, and John Turturro.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Actress January Jones channeled Isabel Marant’s nonchalant French-girl style by wearing an oversized sweater and cutoff jean shorts to a dinner hosted by the designer.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 June 2025
-
The partnership marks a stylistic evolution for White, who previously channeled classic Americana and nonchalant cool in campaigns for Calvin Klein.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Audiences already know what to expect from Buzz Lightyear, Woody and their merry band of talking toys.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
23 June 2025
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Will the market continue to trudge along its merry path?—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Volunteers from a nonprofit that trains service dogs, Helping Paws Inc., provided a little canine therapy for waiting mourners Friday at the Capitol, working the crowd with cheerful golden retrievers.—
John Hanna,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
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Diana wore the cheerful frock on several occasions between 1988 and 1992, often during hospital visits and moments of connection with patients.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Royals are betting Cruz’s future remains bright.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
After all, when the sun is so bright and the water so warm, who would ever want the summer to end?—
Erik Morse,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Here are even more opportunities to honor Stonewall’s legacy while pushing for a more just and joyful future.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
-
One Cut of the Dead is a joyful, exuberant (and fittingly scrappy) celebration of zombie movie-makers.—
James Grebey,
Time,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
As the country’s friends have looked on in horror and its rivals have watched with glee, the United States has gone from indispensable to insufferable.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
The crowd stood up and with nervous laughter streamed toward the lobby, then galloped into the street with the glee of prisoners released.—
Andrew Kay,
Harpers Magazine,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
The advisory was active for Cabarrus and Rowan counties.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 June 2025
-
It's rapidly become one of Europe's most active firms, drawing capital from powerhouses like J. Rothschild Capital Management and MIT, and boasting a portfolio that includes unicorns like $2 billion Mercor and $1.3 billion LinkTree.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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