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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Recent Examples of gleeful
Here, the tarantella is by turns gleeful and demonic — a frantic dance of the doomed, whirling through a mist of contemporary clangor.
—
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The wave of reactions against Kirk is reminiscent of the gleeful celebration of many on the left when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down late last year.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
What follows is a gleeful parade, perfect for viewers who always wanted to meet the high school star crush whose posters adorned their bedroom walls.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Dracula exhibits a gleeful, chaotic vulgarity, yet Jude’s sideways vampire history concludes on a note of reconciliation and hope.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
The wave of reactions against Kirk is reminiscent of the gleeful celebration of many on the left when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down late last year.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
What follows is a gleeful parade, perfect for viewers who always wanted to meet the high school star crush whose posters adorned their bedroom walls.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Dracula exhibits a gleeful, chaotic vulgarity, yet Jude’s sideways vampire history concludes on a note of reconciliation and hope.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleeful
Adjective
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In the weeks that followed, the secretary also removed every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory committee, replacing them with a merry band of loyalists and skeptics.—
Eli Cahan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
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Instead of treats, this calendar is packed with a mix of exciting goodies like plush toys, kicker toys, balls and popular stimulants like catnip and silvervine to keep your kitty playful and merry.—
Christine Persaud,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the economic uncertainty of inflationary pressures and tariffs, this holiday season could be a less jolly one for retailers.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
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There will be games, food, contests, and jolly times for all.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Think spooky cocktails and mocktails, or a boo‑cuterie board layered with cheese, fruit, candy, and charcuterie for a festive and easy-to-assemble centerpiece.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
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Drape these festive tea towels over the handle of your oven or dishwasher for a pop of color and easy access to dry your hands or wipe up spills.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Companies such as OpenAI fine-tune the models behind modern chatbots not just to imitate existing writing, but to use the particularly bland and cheerful style that any chatbot user recognizes.—
Vauhini Vara,
The Atlantic,
16 Oct. 2025
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Instead, consider small chairs or stools that can easily be moved and/or repainted to create a cheerful gathering spot, suggests Westbrook.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gleeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleeful. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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