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
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
Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025
The 8-foot display has built-in LED lights, so passersby can enjoy looking at his holly jolly smile throughout the night.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Director Nisha Ganatra jollies it along, with editor Eleanor Infante making as much rhythmic sense of the mix-ups and physical craziness as possible.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Adjective
Lily Mathé, one of the orchestra’s best violinists, vividly remembered being made to play jolly tunes in the SS officers’ mess at Auschwitz every evening while the guards ate their dinner.
—Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
The Broncos are having a jolly old romp in England this week, with Denver making its second visit for a game in the United Kingdom in the last four years.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2025
The 8-foot display has built-in LED lights, so passersby can enjoy looking at his holly jolly smile throughout the night.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
This isn’t a report by the fun police: Twelfth Night is bursting with life and humor and should by no means be a moody slog, but Ali’s production is too intent on jollying us along.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Director Nisha Ganatra jollies it along, with editor Eleanor Infante making as much rhythmic sense of the mix-ups and physical craziness as possible.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolly
Adjective
-
Surprises are part and parcel of a horror movie, but more as jump scares or scary reveals or whatever, not a merry jaunt around another plot thread.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
In the weeks that followed, the secretary also removed every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine advisory committee, replacing them with a merry band of loyalists and skeptics.—
Eli Cahan,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As the mid-Missouri heat and humidity finally subside, any outdoor activity—from the perfect wine picnic to a Katy Trail hike—is much more pleasant.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
-
As America’s capital of both wine production and pleasant weather, California has any number of towns that capture this experience, each with distinguishing characteristics that suit different types of travelers.—
Justin Goldman,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The hunter was supposed to be Nweeia’s main guide, and this happened on the very first day of the expedition.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
There are very few people with any substance who want to run.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Since posting, Astra’s story has attracted thousands of amused comments, with many followers joking about the dramatic difference between the two breeds.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
The victim told police that Ising had constantly harassed him at work for two years, sitting next to him during meals and joking about his inability to eat many foods because of his medical condition.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Max out the cream cheese theme by adding swirls or dollops of rich and tangy Cream Cheese Frosting (below) tinted with gel or paste food coloring in your favorite festive holiday hues.—
Jessica Saari Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The city is a popular spot, especially around Oktoberfest and the festive season, thanks to its renowned Christmas markets.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Just down the street from the colossal blue Scientology center (one of LA’s top locations for taking an ironic selfie) is Found Oyster, a delightful and perennially (pleasantly) crowded seafood restaurant inspired by clam shacks on the East Coast.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
In addition to delightful dish after delightful dish, tasting menu participants have the joyful experience of choosing their own chopstick holder and steak knife.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Almeida is extremely likely to have wrestling success early in this fight, and the question becomes whether Volkov can survive and extend the matchup.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Last offseason, the Red Sox were extremely active, trading for ace pitcher Garrett Crochet and signing All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This could make eating more enjoyable, leading to eating more.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Taking pictures can actually make an experience more enjoyable and more lasting.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share