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a happy ending
a pleasant ending
a positive ending
a cheerful ending
a hopeful ending
a joyful ending
a happy birthday
a joyous birthday
a merry birthday
a joyful birthday
a great birthday
a special birthday
a happy marriage
a good marriage
a successful marriage
a great marriage
a wonderful marriage
a joyous marriage
happy memories
special memories
positive memories
pleasing memories
pleasant memories
cheerful memories
a happy face
a cheerful face
an elated face
a pleased face
a delighted face
an ecstatic face

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 She isn’t fixated on having the right or the most happy kinds of experiences, exactly. Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 Schwarber was 3-for-12 with seven strikeouts against Luzardo over the years, and he’s joked that no one was happier about the trade than him. Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 May 2025 When the mothers returned with their packages, they were usually greeted by smiling little faces and happy gurgles. Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 3 May 2025 However, her story now has a happy ending with the arrival of a new canine support dog. David Chiu, People.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for happy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy
Adjective
  • Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
    Tommy McArdle, People.com, 15 May 2025
  • There are just so many memories from childhood, growing up watching Everton here and being fortunate to work here for 25 years.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ninja: Those who want to honor Dad’s grilling hobbies and do their Father’s Day shopping early will be delighted to hear about Ninja’s 15-percent-off discounts on select grills plus 10 percent off parts and accessories, with the promo code OUTDOOR15.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
  • The relatively easy preservation method – and the brothers’ fundraising efforts to obtain the necessary supplies – delighted village elders.
    John Okot, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Just three years ago, 81% of Americans were satisfied with their freedom.
    Cory Smith, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2025
  • With the right strategy, organizations can foster a high-performing, satisfied workforce.
    Smiti Bhatt Deorah, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • Before then, a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois took home a $344 million jackpot on March 25, while another lucky person hit the Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 17 for $113 million.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Another lucky break — made possible by a little bit of skill.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • This content is not, nor is intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any investment product or strategy is suitable for any person.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • Securities, investment products, other financial products or strategies discussed herein may not be suitable for all investors.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • So many people are about to be obsessed with your new album, but is there anything you’re obsessed with at the moment?
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • Yet without a corpse in sight, recluse Vesta becomes obsessed with solving the would-be murder.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • But now, with what is happening, the title is even more appropriate.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 May 2025
  • During arguments before the Supreme Court, several of the justices expressed concerns about the use of nationwide injunctions, but John Sauer, President Donald Trump’s solicitor general, faced pushback this week about whether limiting injunctions was appropriate in this case.
    Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, because the pool was shallow, Lisberg was less worried.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • There are signs that some in Israel are worried about the consequences of its actions in Gaza.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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