1
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
an especially jolly crowd of well-wishers at their wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
we always have a jolly time at their seaside cottage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
I jolly well agree that you did the right thing has become a jolly careful driver since his recent accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to joke
to make jokes
spent their nights around the campfire good-naturedly jollying and telling scary stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jolly
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The shiny, vinyl-like fabric gave the look a modern, sporty edge, tying it back to the game-day setting.
Mahomes and Kelce paired the festive jolly coats with their red and white Chiefs uniforms, blending seamlessly with the football team’s signature colors.
—Ty Gaskins, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024
David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Now would be a good time to think about her bucket list, suggests a jolly co-worker (Rosa Malagueta), who coaxes out of Tereza her greatest desire: to ride in an airplane.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019
So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession.
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Adjective
The musician also passed away on Christmas Day back in 2016, so the jolly time is also somewhat somber for longtime lovers of the artist.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
The shiny, vinyl-like fabric gave the look a modern, sporty edge, tying it back to the game-day setting.
Mahomes and Kelce paired the festive jolly coats with their red and white Chiefs uniforms, blending seamlessly with the football team’s signature colors.
—Ty Gaskins, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Jon Robin Baitz’s family drama is set at Christmas time but there’s very little jolly about it.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
Now would be a good time to think about her bucket list, suggests a jolly co-worker (Rosa Malagueta), who coaxes out of Tereza her greatest desire: to ride in an airplane.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025
Verb
As to the political will needed to jolly the process along, and arrange payment for those parts of the programme that will not pay for themselves, this can push both ways.
—The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019
So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession.
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolly
Adjective
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Not so merry Mary Nothing was ever easy for Mary this season.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
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Paul Kent and his merry musical men will be live from 7-9 p.m., Los Gatos Coffee Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos.—
Jake Richardson,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But overall, this affordable bed frame offers a good mix of pleasant aesthetics and practical storage solutions.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
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If busier weekends someday mean parking an extra block away, that will be a pleasant problem to solve.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Adverb
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Artwork can always be colorful, even in a very neutral room.—
Eleni N. Gage,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 May 2025
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The latest trailer was released on May 14, and it's packed with heroic vibes, jaw-dropping visuals, and what looks like a very annoyed protagonist.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Porter Township School Corporation Superintendant Stacey Schmidt joked that despite Union Township Bearcats being their arch-rivals, her community did not support a data center being thrust upon them.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
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In November, Liam joked on X that Oasis had, in fact, recorded a new album.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Videos online showed the ship sailing underneath the bridge, connecting the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, as its masts, apparently strung with festive lights, collided with it.—
Gabrielle Banks,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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Winning trainer: Brittany T. Russell. 2025 Preakness Day | PHOTOS Photos of horses, fans and a festive atmosphere at the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Read Next Real Estate News See delightful Fair Oaks estate built in 1901 along American River.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2025
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Delight by Default Aim for pleasant surprises—fewer steps, quicker approvals, delightful interactions and unexpected efficiency.—
Sal Rehmetullah,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adverb
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No league in the United States is more popular than the National Football League, making the schedule release an extremely exciting day for the sports world.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
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While some have argued for simply adding more landers and rovers, the analyses that can be done in laboratories on Earth will provide much more information than can be obtained on Mars with in situ assets that have, of necessity, extremely limited scientific instrumentation.—
Bruce Jakosky,
Space.com,
14 May 2025
Adverb
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Listen to this article 2 min Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce will be getting his steps in after his Game 2 Celtics-Knicks prediction ended terribly for him.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
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The Celtics are doing that and shooting terribly, following up a 25 percent 3-point shooting performance in Game 1 with a 25 percent performance in Game 2.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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