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as in fortunate
having good luck the happy person who is both appreciated and rewarded for all his hard work

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 These women are more than happy to say ghastly things about each other on camera. Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025 Learn how repotting revives a Christmas cactus, when to do it, and how for a happy holiday plant. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025 There are a lot of happy New Yorkers out there celebrating the victory of Zohran Mamdani in the 2025 mayoral race, and some of them — including Gracie Abrams, Halsey and more — are also big-name musicians. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025 Nash said the results showed that Boise voters are happy with the direction the city is headed. Idaho Statesman, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for happy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy
Adjective
  • The idea, even now, seems surprising in its simplicity, yet genius in its execution — who wouldn’t be delighted to attend a tempura party?
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Sister Rita is delighted to see so many people in attendance.
    Esme Nicholson, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Chevron Knitted Chunky Throw Blanket Give the gift of warmth with this ultra-soft chunky throw blanket that’ll wrap the lucky recipient in a luxurious cocoon.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The usual Saturday full of big money Florida Lottery draw games — Cash4Life, Florida Lotto, Fantasy 5, Powerball — came up lucky in a major way for only one player and on the day’s first draw.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Others, such as Underdog Fantasy, are satisfied with merely hosting someone else’s exchange in their apps and tacking on small trading fees to create revenue.
    Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • What’s in and out of the bipartisan deal drew sharp criticism, leaving few senators fully satisfied.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Anyone who isn’t paying enough attention could see five losses after regulation and think the Avalanche has been fortunate to collect some loser points.
    Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Georgia is either extremely fortunate or extremely tough — possibly both — to keep pulling out these close Ws.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The Mokum variety, a Nantes type, is suitable for container growing since the orange roots are slim and shorter than some of the larger varieties, reaching six-to-eight inches in length.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
  • During the land use committee hearing, city property agent Tyler Garland said the five parcels are not suitable for multi-family housing and that no city department expressed interest in using them.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • One man who became obsessed with Garfield after his 1880 speech was the eccentric Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and the series follows his attempts to get a job in the administration.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 6 Nov. 2025
  • If headlines are any indication, at no point in recent history has the American public been more obsessed with the toilets in their national parks.
    Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The charismatic auctioneer was clearly pleased, teasing the eager bidder.
    Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Sturm, who has had no illusions about what his team can and can’t do, is pleased with the way his players are starting to take to his hybrid zone/man system.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Canada couldn’t be more appropriate to host the first Winter Games.
    Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Always serve pumpkin in moderation and in an amount appropriate for the size of your pet.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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