gladness

noun

Definition of gladnessnext
1
as in joy
a feeling or state of well-being and contentment felt nothing but gladness at seeing her best friend beat her out for the award

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contentment
the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met the children's gladness was evident as they opened their Christmas presents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of gladness May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 Hazel shrugged, but Lilian could see her gladness at being asked. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 Over time in Middle English, myrth(e) narrowed to mean joy, amusement, or gladness, often expressed in laughter and festivity. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladness
  1. joy
  2. contentment
  3. happiness
  4. enjoyment
  5. pleasure
  6. satisfaction
  7. content
  8. delight
Noun
  • Boise finally put a second ball in the back of the net in the opening minutes of stoppage time, sparking wild joy as goalscorer Amang ripped off his shirt and celebrated with nearby fans.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 July 2026
  • In these dark times, our collective joy and love needs to be documented, embraced and cultivated.
    — Josh Fox, IndieWire, 17 July 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • But do all this with the knowledge of what brings you contentment—and start charting your course now.
    — Scott Snider, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Barefoot in jeans and a T-shirt, the rock legend is the picture of contentment as waves ripple through the pool behind him from a breeze off the Atlantic.
    — Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Definition of contentment
Noun
  • If happiness is the best team, then maybe there are better choices.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
  • This learned hopefulness is because in romance novels, goals are readily attainable, multiple pathways to happiness can exist and perseverance is worthwhile.
    — Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • Despite a slight weight penalty, the Spider’s open-top experience is unmatched, blending power with driving enjoyment.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 15 July 2026
  • On its face, reading is a form of stress-reducing enjoyment that is exceptionally convenient and, thanks to public libraries, even free.
    — Jen Benka, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Caviar is one of life’s great pleasures, delicate orbs full of rich bursts of salty, umami deliciousness.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Outside of Chapel Hill, a whole lot of people took pleasure as the Tar Heels’ season crumbled.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026
Definition of pleasure
Noun
  • Szall will receive a $5,700 prize for her design — and the satisfaction of knowing her work is now a piece of Atlanta history.
    — Staff, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
  • The satisfaction comes less from appearance and more from seeing something so distant directly with your own eyes.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of satisfaction
Noun
  • That allowed small-town publishers to offer national and international news with local content.
    — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026
  • Daera pushes the conversation beyond recycled content as a singular solution toward a more complete circular product development.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 17 July 2026
Definition of content
Noun
  • Mornings begin with a gentle workout followed by workshops on topics like breath work and meditation, while afternoons are busy with winery tours, cooking classes, horseback riding, and other cultural delights.
    — Katie Camero, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026
  • In another especially science-fictiony case, ticks’ very saliva can spark a severe allergy to such delights as ice cream and hamburgers.
    — Meg Tirrell, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of delight

Browse Nearby Words

gladly
gladness
glad rags
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Cite this Entry

“Gladness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladness. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of gladness for Spanish Speakers

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