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
His former coaches, however, happily come to his defense.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
However, many supporters would probably happily accept a finale to the campaign with as little drama as possible — and the chance to watch their side play top-flight football again from next August, irrespective of the cost.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Threadleaf coreopsis is a spring and summer bloomer that happily spreads in average garden soil.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
For two decades, Gulf governments played the role of rich aunt — writing checks, asking few questions, and happily letting New York bankers run the show.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
However, many supporters would probably happily accept a finale to the campaign with as little drama as possible — and the chance to watch their side play top-flight football again from next August, irrespective of the cost.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Threadleaf coreopsis is a spring and summer bloomer that happily spreads in average garden soil.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2026
For two decades, Gulf governments played the role of rich aunt — writing checks, asking few questions, and happily letting New York bankers run the show.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
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Joined by Feig's wife, Laurie, and Byrne's partner, Bobby Cannavale, the star pulled out her phone and cheerfully snapped selfies of the foursome.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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Netflix’s Ted Sarandos likewise ripped Cameron, but Sarandos would still cheerfully kill to acquire a single new Cameron film over a hundred Red Notices and Rebel Moons.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
So excited to have properly chilled wine.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The track was built properly, with the fencing, the walls.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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At present, the model can correctly gauge that risk 60 percent of the time, Griffin says.—
Jyoti Madhusoodanan,
Scientific American,
17 Mar. 2026
-
The market would spend the next decade swinging between euphoria and collapse, wiping out the life savings of many while producing generational wealth for the savvy few who correctly rode the wave.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The endowment worried the tower could fall into disrepair under CapRadio’s stewardship and sought to donate it to KVIE, an organization that endowment board members believed could appropriately maintain the tower.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
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The lens is appropriately sized for gimbals and handheld photography.—
Jim Fisher,
PC Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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