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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 For a French superstar chef whose eponymous NYC restaurant has received two Michelin stars, Daniel Boulud’s demeanor is unexpectedly laid-back and jovial. Brittany Loggins, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025 The exceptional service is jovial and slick, but never obtrusive. Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025 Diana, a jovial sixty-nine-year-old grandmother, moves Iain’s ice cream out of the freezer. Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Despite more complicated challenges, the cast are as jokey and jovial as ever. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jovial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jovial
Adjective
  • There will be games, food, contests, and jolly times for all.
    Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • 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, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Discovering its contents, day in and day out throughout the course of the merriest month of the year, will give you a taste of Glasshouse Fragrances’ bestselling formulas that please even the pickiest of noses.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Great American Family is making sure that everyone's television screens remain merry and bright this holiday season!
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Equal parts creepy and campy, Ultra Skelly is a wickedly fun way to raise your Halloween game from festive to frightful.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Jews then partake in a festive after-fast meal, turning the evening into a yom tov (festival).
    Krys'tal Griffin, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Born in Tangier to Spanish parents, María Ángeles lives out her widowhood with cheerful self-sufficiency.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Its cheerful, harmonious colors evoke the pleasure and leisure associated with reading from childhood onward.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Jovial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jovial. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on jovial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!