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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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 Despite more complicated challenges, the cast are as jokey and jovial as ever. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025 After Minnesota’s 1-0 win over Seattle, Oluwaseyi was hanging out in a jovial Loons’ dressing room, joking with teammates — far from saying somber goodbyes to friends. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Aug. 2025 He’d been asked about the Milwaukee Brewers’ 13-game winning streak, their jovial manager, Pat Murphy, and the divisional race the Brewers are now running away with after the Cubs spent the first four months in first place. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025 The restaurant, called Wednesday Ellie, is named for Reiter’s wife’s jovial attitude on a particular mid-week day, Mangin said. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jovial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jovial
Adjective
  • 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
  • The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • From a massive 9-foot fir to a charming 3-foot tabletop tree, score up to 58% off a one-time buy that’ll last for years of merry memories.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2025
  • While Materialists sticks to the bounds of its love triangle, Splitsville suggests the more, the merrier.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But waiting to carve on the day of the holiday only gives you trick-or-treating night to enjoy their festive glow.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Futureplusx 38-Piece Artificial Pumpkin Set Pumpkins are the must-have gourds for bringing a festive look to your home.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The YouTuber greets everyone — fan on the street, friend, foe, sitting Congressmen, and unsuspecting Rolling Stone staffer — the same, with a cheerful smile and an already rolling camera crew.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The pet supplement space is crowded with options, many of which have cheerful packaging and confident claims, yet little transparency about efficacy.
    Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jovial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jovial. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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