1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
happily accepted the invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 happily
However, an isolationist leadership board, facing an outside threat with Link’s (Thomas Doherty) militia and unable to locate an AWOL Sinatra, trigger-happily initiates full lockdown.
—
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
There is not a natural fit between living happily in that kind of place and spending your career investigating and then publishing your findings, at least if your investigations are local.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Maxwell Schwanz was in his sophomore year of high school, happily a member of the basketball team when his career path slowly started coming into focus.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
Her life as portrayed on Mormon Wives is that of a loose cannon who struggles to liberate herself from toxic romantic entanglements, running directly counter to The Bachelor’s fantasy of happily-ever-after.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2026
There is not a natural fit between living happily in that kind of place and spending your career investigating and then publishing your findings, at least if your investigations are local.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Maxwell Schwanz was in his sophomore year of high school, happily a member of the basketball team when his career path slowly started coming into focus.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
Her life as portrayed on Mormon Wives is that of a loose cannon who struggles to liberate herself from toxic romantic entanglements, running directly counter to The Bachelor’s fantasy of happily-ever-after.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
-
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
-
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
-
While you may be tempted to pull it out of the oven when the top starts to brown, taking the pastry past light golden edges ensures a crispy crust that’s properly cooked all the way through.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Amelirad said Mohammadi had participated in anti-government protests that erupted earlier that year when Mahsa Amini died in police custody after being detained for not wearing her headscarf properly.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Choosing organic on the 12 highest-residue items, leaning into seasonal buying and washing produce correctly are small, actionable shifts — ones that reduce exposure without cutting back on the produce your body benefits from every day.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Verify that the information has been reported correctly and dispute any errors or unfamiliar accounts to the credit bureau.—
Ashley Portillo,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
When institutions such as churches, schools or unions fail to stop abuse or respond appropriately, that institutional betrayal can also add to the harm caused by the original abuse.—
Anne P. DePrince,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
These were responded to appropriately in line with the Islamic Republic's positions, the IRNA news agency reported Baghaei as saying.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
