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Synonym Chooser

How is the word happy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of happy are fortunate, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

Where would fortunate be a reasonable alternative to happy?

In some situations, the words fortunate and happy are roughly equivalent. However, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

When might lucky be a better fit than happy?

The meanings of lucky and happy largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

When could providential be used to replace happy?

While in some cases nearly identical to happy, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 happy That’s a lot of 'we not happy'! Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025 There will be music in the film, but more inspired by the mood of this music, which is, on one hand, very disco, happy music. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025 Reportedly, this all ties back to the fact that William and his wife, Kate Middleton, are not happy that Prince Andrew is still living at Royal Lodge, which is very close to their new home, Forest Lodge. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2025 But those local socios are Perez’s power base, and keeping them happy is a big priority for him. Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for happy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy
Adjective
  • Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas and co-owner David Beckham were both clearly delighted with the news of Messi’s new contract.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Overwhelmed and delighted to see the first public showing of her work at age 85, Austen attended with Tate and 300 guests.
    Margaret Hetherman, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Local charities should be able to rely on the city for material and personnel assistance whenever it is required to preserve the lives of our community’s less fortunate.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Justine Lupe and TImothy Simons remind audiences that any show should be fortunate to have them in their cast.
    Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • High-protein desserts can be a great way to indulge your sweet tooth, promote satiety (feeling satisfied after eating), balance blood sugar, and support muscle repair.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025
  • In the process, the team reviewed multiple samples, fine-tuning the bottle, the box, and overall packaging of Roué until all parties were satisfied.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are luckiest numbers, places to play Did anyone win Powerball last night, October 25, 2025?
    Chris Sims, IndyStar, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The two lucky raffle winners each receive a bottle of wine — plus the accompanying thank-you note — to savor after a job well done.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This breakthrough could lead to the development of more reliable, next-generation sensors suitable for applications ranging from medical monitoring to energy storage systems.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Less suitable is the club’s goalkeeping.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Then again, why not celebrate Christmas in a country that’s so festive-obsessed, decorations are usually in place in most homes by early fall?
    Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Music fans remain obsessed with how the site rates their favorites, and artists have Pitchfork on their mind too.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While acknowledging the challenges and volatility of the current global scenario, the group’s chief executive officer Andrea Guerra sounded pleased with the performance during a call with analysts on Thursday at the end of trading in Hong Kong, where the company is publicly listed.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Strickland was pleased with how the Stallions rose up to the challenge of playing in the elite Division 1 that has 12 teams playing in the 16-team bracket (four teams had first-round byes).
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Many times, the needs of the homeless are not just heating or cooling, but there may be medical/dental issues, food or appropriate clothing needs as well.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on happy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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