jolly 1 of 3

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

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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

jolly

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adverb

jolly

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective jolly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jolly are blithe, jocund, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

Where would blithe be a reasonable alternative to jolly?

In some situations, the words blithe and jolly are roughly equivalent. However, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When is it sensible to use jocund instead of jolly?

Although the words jocund and jolly have much in common, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When could jovial be used to replace jolly?

The synonyms jovial and jolly are sometimes interchangeable, but jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

When is merry a more appropriate choice than jolly?

The words merry and jolly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

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 jolly
Adjective
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 As the jolliest day of the year inches closer, the sibling group breaks into the top 10 on a handful of tallies, as both their singles and at least one album are on the rise. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Adverb
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 Demi Moore is having a jolly good time with her family this holiday season! Angel Saunders, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
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
  • Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.
    Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Personal differences, school commitments, and career opportunities threaten to permanently break up the merry band of role-players.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Exploring ancient hot spots like Delphi, ancient Epidaurus, and Olympia on foot is much more pleasant in spring temperatures averaging from the 60s to the high 70s.
    Helen Iatrou, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Some images are pleasant, while others are painful and heart-wrenching to produce.
    The Pham, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • Peters returns for the Manhattan Theatre Club’s fresh, surprising and very special Broadway production, following its run in Los Angeles.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Fluke is a very tender fish with a lot of sweetness.
    CAROLE KOTKIN, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The scene cuts to a confessional, where the Good American founder jokes that Scott should have been more careful while filming the past scene.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • My family often jokes that my devotion to Bruce and his music borders on obsession.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Original price: $29.99 This festive pastel tower of eggs is a standout centerpiece for spring.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Each rabbit holds a festive springtime flower in a different pose that can be placed together or individually around the home.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Here are a few delightful spring activities to try in the next few weeks, from spotting migrant birds in your backyard to building your own container garden.
    Malaka Gharib, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
  • For the 19th-century Romantics, sublime referred not to something delightful—as it’s commonly used now— but to a sense of awe in nature inseparable from terror or danger.
    Chloe Berge, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • However, experts maintain that voter fraud remains extremely rare, with studies showing minimal evidence of noncitizen voting.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Sudden hearing loss can be caused by proximity to an extremely loud sound like an explosion.
    Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • To Graydon Carter, a founder and coeditor of Air Mail and former editor of Vanity Fair, all of this seems terribly unfair.
    Nathan King, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Something would have to go terribly wrong for the Yankees to give up on the 2025 season.
    Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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