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
  • For many, Menorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, is synonymous with summer which makes Son Ermità like the thrill of the first dip in the sea in the morning or the joy of the last swim at dusk.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Offer one useful idea, keep the plan simple, and save space for joy too.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • His contentment is rocked by his mother’s absence — her yearning for something better.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The poetry of this movie, in short, is in Dafoe, who gives his finest performance in years—a long trek from bliss to despair to disillusionment, and finally to the odd contentment and consolation that disillusionment often brings.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentment
Noun
  • That quest to spark happiness during challenging times is precisely what inspired the textile artist Rashelle Campbell to start making her now-signature rugs.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
  • So Flaubert is describing a mechanism where happiness begets more happiness.
    — Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • In 2028, American Airlines will upgrade many of its smaller Airbus and Boeing jets, adding 4K screens with Bluetooth audio to seatbacks for passengers' enjoyment.
    — Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Evans said Collinson’s research indicates that the ability to rest and decompress at the beginning of a journey can influence the enjoyment that follows.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • And in its place was the absolute pleasure of watching Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder play their characters perfectly on my favorite show, just a few inches away.
    — Merrill Markoe, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Up the hillside there ever pours in reinforcements, clutching cans of beer and occasionally flags…There is something about it all of a children’s crusade, the young people look so innocent and take their pleasure so gravely.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of pleasure
Noun
  • Even so, the Pilot continues to stand out for its combination of refinement, functionality and long-term ownership satisfaction.
    — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs And Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2026
  • However, Collingwood points out that the skin also provides flavor and satisfaction.
    — Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of satisfaction
Noun
  • Mandee Tauber is a hairstylist and principal artist of global content at Oribe.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Internally at the studios, copyright divisions spend their energy targeting larger criminal operations enabling these digital pirates — the hives sharing and disseminating premium content.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of content
Noun
  • But that misses the delight Arzner took in her stars and in the backlot drama of the studios.
    — Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Here again, in this slim book, the narrative unfolds in fragments, every sentence drawing you deeper into the delights of language.
    — Amitava Kumar, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 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 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gladness

Nglish: Translation of gladness for Spanish Speakers

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