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
This quickly descended into hilarity when the coaches further ambushed their unwilling challengers with a full-court press for the entire 12 minutes.
—
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Developed by Achkar, the show dives headfirst into the hilarity and heartbreak of modern Arab life.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Those of us who grew up with ESPN as our easy companion will miss the days of independence, honesty and hilarity.
—Laura Gentile, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The reader bobs along in the author’s stream of consciousness, riding crests of despair, anger, and hilarity as Toews assembles the shards of her past to investigate her will to write, which is deeply entwined with her will to live.
—Kristen Martin, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hilarity
Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
Developed by Achkar, the show dives headfirst into the hilarity and heartbreak of modern Arab life.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Those of us who grew up with ESPN as our easy companion will miss the days of independence, honesty and hilarity.
—Laura Gentile, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2025
The reader bobs along in the author’s stream of consciousness, riding crests of despair, anger, and hilarity as Toews assembles the shards of her past to investigate her will to write, which is deeply entwined with her will to live.
—Kristen Martin, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hilarity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hilarity
Noun
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Comments filled with glee and heart emojis, and viewers chimed in from Ireland and London, from Nigeria and Rwanda and Uganda, from Harlem and Arkansas.—
Sarah Hepola,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Jan. 2026
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His freewheeling political rallies and frothy social media presence were, and continue to be, a source of great glee to his fans and followers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As Milchick, Tillman infused an unnerving cheerfulness into Lumon Industries’ macrodata refinement supervisor, a character who became increasingly central in Season 2.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
15 Sep. 2025
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Her vivacious attitude connects her with Aries (Stacey’s actual birthday is April 3) due to her fearlessness and cheerfulness in situations, no matter what is thrown at her.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The festivities continued outdoors with a drone show choreographed to music, followed by a fireworks display that drew cheers from the crowd.—
Sarah Jones,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Dobrev also shared a video from her megayacht festivities with the Palm Tree Crew, including Alix Earle, Michelle Randolph, and Glen Powell.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When winter seems to stretch on and on—and our homes feel suddenly bare inside—the best way to beat the blues is by bringing a little cheer inside.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
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Nail a half-court shot on the elementary school court and get a cheer from the other kids.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hilarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hilarity. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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