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
  • Lamb liked to link play, although City also had plenty of joy down the flanks.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The soldiers and settlers can be relied upon to stifle joy, waiting at the olive harvests, along the coasts, and at checkpoints where women are forced to give birth on the sides of the road.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • The Straits of Florida glisten and the sun leaves a feeling of hazy contentment.
    — Oliver Wu, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Being alone and posting about her journey ultimately helped Hoadley find contentment in her life.
    — Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of contentment
Noun
  • Vettese said the collection continues to be rooted in her Italian heritage, mixed with her American life including the color, happiness and California sunshine of her childhood.
    — Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In his latest column, Joshua Rothman explores this decline in happiness among the youth, finding that the problem goes beyond their smartphones.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • That enjoyment would also help pay for the barn’s preservation.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In psychoanalytic terms, it would be called Angstlust—the enjoyment of fear.
    — Caitlín Doherty, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • But Aly [Turchioe, director of buying] and Trevor [Harvey, buyer] have been an absolute pleasure to work with over the years.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Our formula is based on the universal pleasure of solving a mystery, immersing oneself in an adventure, identifying with inspiring characters, and sharing that sense of liberation so characteristic of adolescence.
    — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of pleasure
Noun
  • There was that billowing and entirely formal satisfaction of sails filled with wind.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Gulf News connects the trend with the satisfaction of making something from scratch, whether the finished product is a loaf of bread or a batch of cookies pulled straight from the oven.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of satisfaction
Noun
  • Instead, Marc Karimzadeh, senior director of content and communications for the Council of Fashion Designers of America, swung by the workroom.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Serious accusations must be supported by evidence and presented before the appropriate authorities, not through statements in media outlets whose content prioritises sensationalism and media exposure over accuracy and truth.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of content
Noun
  • The crowd responded enthusiastically to the proposal, and many of the president’s supporters expressed delight at the prospect of receiving $5,000.
    — Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The calm, disciplined dive master, Rashid Suleiman, is the country’s first Tanzanian to hold that post – and a positive delight to explore the reefs with.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 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 13 Sep. 2026.

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