1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
happily accepted the invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in properly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose
one of those rare occasions on which business and pleasure happily mixed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happily
Even if just a few days after, the two are happily spending a weekend together on Steven Spielberg’s yacht.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
And while the wedding industry isn’t going anywhere, the growing number of couples choosing keys over cake suggests that the definition of happily ever after is changing.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Kandace Crystal grounds the play with her quiet, strong, maternal presence as Wolf & Bird, a woman happily pregnant with her second child.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
As for the rector’s other housemates – a pair of scene-stealing dachshunds – Lewis is happily resigned to being upstaged.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 1 Oct. 2025
And while the wedding industry isn’t going anywhere, the growing number of couples choosing keys over cake suggests that the definition of happily ever after is changing.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
Kandace Crystal grounds the play with her quiet, strong, maternal presence as Wolf & Bird, a woman happily pregnant with her second child.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
As for the rector’s other housemates – a pair of scene-stealing dachshunds – Lewis is happily resigned to being upstaged.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
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No Mob boss, cheerfully decreeing that an inconvenient witness be rubbed out, could be more resolute.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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On a good day, the Undervale houses maybe two living human guests and at least a couple dozen haunts of all demographics, time periods and modes of death — including the brother Katherine inherited it all from, the cheerfully feckless Nathan (Will Forte).—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The most exciting feature is the realistic mask, though, which has mesh eyes for kids to see through while trick-or-treating, and an adjustable strap to fit their head properly.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
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Excess moisture will cause quicker spoilage or keep them from browning properly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Ruminating on the royal aspect, Mariah then correctly landed on Lady Gaga.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
30 Sep. 2025
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Horford needed a talented team that would use him correctly and put him in a position to chase an elusive championship.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Yet, if a person is not appropriately dressed or is unable to regulate the temperature, prolonged exposure to any environment that is cooler than the body might result in hypothermia.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
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Perhaps appropriately, Clooney's new movie Jay Kelly follows him as an aging actor who reflects on the choices he's made over a long and successful career while traveling through Europe with his manager (Adam Sandler).—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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