as in glee
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
hilarity is the last thing you expect to find at a funeral, but we were there to celebrate his life rather than to dwell on his death
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hilarity
Later, in a scene of echoing horror and grim hilarity, Pearl is torn from her airplane seat and flung into the night.
—
Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Feb. 2026
At the film’s center are the lovably gruff duo Flic and Minna, played with precision and stiff-upper-lipped hilarity by newcomers Marni Duggan and Galaxie Clear respectively.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
This is the case with Saturday Night Live, a show that has reached the highest highs and lowest lows of hilarity for half a century.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hilarity
Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Catherine O’Hara portrayed ridiculous eccentrics with equal parts hilarity and humanity.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 Feb. 2026
At the film’s center are the lovably gruff duo Flic and Minna, played with precision and stiff-upper-lipped hilarity by newcomers Marni Duggan and Galaxie Clear respectively.
—Tomris Laffly, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
This is the case with Saturday Night Live, a show that has reached the highest highs and lowest lows of hilarity for half a century.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hilarity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hilarity
Noun
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On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert could not contain his glee.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2026
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The former Nuggets guard danced around Ball Arena with glee throughout a 6-for-7 shooting game and was even bold enough to confront 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas after taking exception to a foul.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
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Raines replied, her usual cheerfulness stepping up a notch.—
Rebecca Boone,
Fortune,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The looming court decision cast a shadow over the weekend festivities.—
Kim Chandler,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2026
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In typical provincial fashion, these four days of festivities include crafts, great food, bluegrass music, and an opportunity to visit sugar camps, where sap is boiled down into delightfully rich syrup.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The fans even got eight free Chick-Fil-A free chicken nuggets due to Caleb Martin missing two straight fourth-quarter free throws, which drew one of the evening’s biggest cheers.—
Scott Fowler
March 4,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
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Stacked in a pile or hanging from hooks—they’re a fun punch of color to add to any space that needs some cheer.—
Ashley Poskin,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hilarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hilarity. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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