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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 hilarity
The La Costa Canyon production features the School Edition, specially adapted for family-friendly audiences while preserving the hilarity and high-energy spectacle of the original.
—
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
His almost-hysterical hilarity was contagious.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Dry, impersonal, a little robotic to the point of hilarity.
—Kory Stamper, Longreads, 19 Mar. 2026
The characters in his orbit are quite strong in their own right, but here, as in The Office, Carell’s unflagging comedy prowess provides the energy that powers the narrative into full-on hilarity.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hilarity
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
His almost-hysterical hilarity was contagious.
—Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
Dry, impersonal, a little robotic to the point of hilarity.
—Kory Stamper, Longreads, 19 Mar. 2026
The characters in his orbit are quite strong in their own right, but here, as in The Office, Carell’s unflagging comedy prowess provides the energy that powers the narrative into full-on hilarity.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hilarity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hilarity
Noun
-
There’s an element of sadistic, John Simonesque glee to his attacks on the personal appearances of actors.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
Managers attacking journalists usually ends one way, and, predictably, Bild spent the rest of the weekend reporting with glee on Frankfurt’s defeat and poor form.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
This kind of optimism and cheerfulness can make leaders more empathetic and pleasant to work with, partly because psychology research finds that positive moods increase helping, generosity and interpersonal understanding.—
Aditya Simha,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Others, like Eric and Lisa Keiser, from Waterford, Pennsylvania, listened from outside the adjacent National Museum of Natural History, where the speeches and music still carried through the crowd as people milled around the Mall enjoying the day’s festivities.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
For live coverage of Saturday’s festivities, click here.—
Taylor Lyons,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson star in the writer-director’s third feature film, which received a six-minute standing ovation on Wednesday night as Schoenbrun hugged their stars to roaring applause and cheers from the crowd.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
According to Briggs, after an officer took off his shirt in a faux striptease during a dance-off for a raffle prize, Kennedy put dollar bills in the officer’s pockets then took a bow — which Briggs said elicited cheers.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hilarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hilarity. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
