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
  • Tactically, Norway seem to struggle with wide forwards, and direct, skilful players have had joy against them at this World Cup.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026
  • Then, through circumstances beyond their control, the joy was gone, and instead they were forced to play in defense of our national pride and honor.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 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
  • In a way, playing baseball helps bring happiness to those going through tragedy, Rojas said.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The image is powerful — a dog sprinting across green grass, the quintessential picture of canine happiness.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • Transforming unused outdoor areas creates functional spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.
    — Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 1 July 2026
  • While enjoyment often leads globally, its source is the work itself, not entertainment.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • Your 5th House of Creativity and Play glows as Venus forms an effortless trine to Chiron in your sign, encouraging pleasure that supports personal healing.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2026
  • Days here seem to arrange themselves around simple pleasures.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 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
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026
  • The Los Angeles case targets platform features like infinite scroll and autoplay rather than user content, a strategy that could shape thousands of similar suits.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
Definition of content
Noun
  • Unexpectedly, and to the delight of many, Audio Research’s engineers found a single chassis gave better performance than its predecessor, the two-chassis Reference 10.
    — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 8 July 2026
  • Just north of town sits Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR), your basecamp for outdoor delight.
    — Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 7 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gladness

Nglish: Translation of gladness for Spanish Speakers

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