Definition of gleefulnext
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the gleeful atmosphere that envelops the host city of the Super Bowl

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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 gleeful But a gleeful surprise was getting a chance to fangirl Emeril Lagasse, who’s early ‘90s cooking shows solidified my love for cooking. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025 But the teen-soap relationship dynamics among Clover and her friends are secondary to the gleeful creativity with which the movie dispatches them — over and over again. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2025 After a deluge of videos poured out of the fallen city in October, which showed gleeful RSF soldiers murdering POWs and terrified civilians, leadership has cracked down on the sharing of videos. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 5 Dec. 2025 The gleeful, unrepentant suspension of civil liberties by the state would soon become the norm in 21st century America. Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleeful
Adjective
  • Which means if there’s more than two inches of snow on the ground, a merry band of Aurora volunteers spread out across neighborhoods to help seniors clear their sidewalks, stoops and driveways.
    Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In fact, the more, the merrier!
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • While his jolly personality won him many friends at the top of the pyramid, his flock of ordinary Catholics saw only his other side.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The surviving kids begin to suspect something is up, but their attempts to appeal to this world’s sad excuses for adult supervision — a jolly mailman, a blank-faced nurse, and a talking train — just lead to more murders.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • All February long, 618 is offering a 4-course $99 Romance Experience Menu paired with fun, festive Valentine's Day cocktail specials.
    Courtney Cherry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • From creamy dips to spicy wings to pigs in a blanket, all of these festive recipes are sure to crowdpleasers.
    Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Even the prettiest and most cheerful landscapes and still lifes, such as Belly Flowers and Sonny Hart’s Garden, use this contrast to create tension.
    Benjamin Lima Special Contributor, Dallas Morning News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Just off the kitchen is a cheerful breakfast nook topped with skylights, inviting you to linger on weekend mornings.
    Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gleeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleeful. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

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