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
Benedict and Sophie blackmail Araminta into supporting the claim that Sophie is a Penwood relative of noble origins, a scheme that clears Sophie’s path into society and toward her happily ever after.
—
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
The emus helped themselves happily to both, smashing down fences and churning up crops in the process.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
In the film’s opening moments, the two young girls in their pajamas and wildly curly hair play happily in a pink tent on the early morning of Nelly’s birthday.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Halverson happily used a saber to cut his birthday cake at last year's celebration.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2026
The emus helped themselves happily to both, smashing down fences and churning up crops in the process.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
In the film’s opening moments, the two young girls in their pajamas and wildly curly hair play happily in a pink tent on the early morning of Nelly’s birthday.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
Halverson happily used a saber to cut his birthday cake at last year's celebration.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
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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
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One lovely sequence sees an outdoor lunch at the lodge turn into an impromptu dance party with a live musician singing some cheerfully inauthentic bossa nova.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
22 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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On the other hand, there were times when Hilton did not appear to have properly taken into account the implications of his policy positions or perhaps didn’t care.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
1 Mar. 2026
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According to Michigan law, if a minor fires the gun and inflicts harm on themselves or another individual, the person who failed to properly store the gun could face a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a maximum fine of $7,500, or both.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Even an older coat can remain wearable for decades if it has been stored correctly and maintained over time.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
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This can be disastrous for a computational application that requires that all mathematical operations be performed correctly.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Dallas was slightly oversupplied and Houston was appropriately supplied.—
Travis Webb,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Feb. 2026
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Repackage the cottage cheese in an appropriately sized freezer-safe storage container or airtight plastic bag.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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