as in jolly
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the trip to the amusement park put everyone in a jovial mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective jovial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jovial are blithe, jocund, jolly, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

In what contexts can blithe take the place of jovial?

Although the words blithe and jovial have much in common, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When can jocund be used instead of jovial?

The synonyms jocund and jovial are sometimes interchangeable, but jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When might jolly be a better fit than jovial?

The words jolly and jovial can be used in similar contexts, but jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When could merry be used to replace jovial?

In some situations, the words merry and jovial are roughly equivalent. However, 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 jovial Friendship traces how Craig and his neighbor Austin (Paul Rudd), a jovial weatherman, quickly bond and then break apart. Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 28 May 2025 During this period, Putnam gave a jovial interview to a reporter from the London Daily Telegraph. Laurie Gwen Shapiro, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 Austin Shepard Hometown: Northville, MI Fun Fact: Fun-loving Michigan boy Austin has a jovial spirit and the perfect job to keep him Love Island ready — pool boy. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 29 May 2025 Deep down, Schnall and the majority of the other executives weren’t really in a jovial mood, though. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for jovial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jovial
Adjective
  • Crosby released a number of tunes throughout his career that were made perfectly for the jolliest time of the year, and his wins are still coming his way, even decades after his passing.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
  • 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
Adjective
  • Audiences already know what to expect from Buzz Lightyear, Woody and their merry band of talking toys.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 June 2025
  • Will the market continue to trudge along its merry path?
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her after-party look was fun, festive and feathered, and featured a low-cut back.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 19 June 2025
  • When will fans find out the festive schedule is for their teams?
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Diana wore the cheerful frock on several occasions between 1988 and 1992, often during hospital visits and moments of connection with patients.
    Janine Henni, People.com, 28 June 2025
  • Volunteers from a nonprofit that trains service dogs, Helping Paws Inc., provided a little canine therapy for waiting mourners Friday at the Capitol, working the crowd with cheerful golden retrievers.
    John Hanna, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jovial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jovial. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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