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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
the company's holiday parties often had an air of forced joviality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of jovial
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
The jovial Francis became pope because the conservative and cerebral Benedict XVI resigned on Feb. 28, 2013.
—Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
The Network Brass Winnie Landell (Helen Hunt) Photo: Courtesy of Max
This network executive responsible for Late Night with Deborah Vance’s success is jovial yet mean in the way that only a woman who’s worked in Hollywood for too long and has seen way too much can be.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
All that gnashing and suckling is old hat — as old as the burgundy fedora Jordan slips on when playing the more jovial of these brothers in arms.
—A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jovial
Adjective
Ubu made a surprisingly strong return with their 1988 reunion, The Tenement Year, a jovial mess that might be their warmest.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
The jovial Francis became pope because the conservative and cerebral Benedict XVI resigned on Feb. 28, 2013.
—Howard Chua-Eoan, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
The Network Brass Winnie Landell (Helen Hunt) Photo: Courtesy of Max
This network executive responsible for Late Night with Deborah Vance’s success is jovial yet mean in the way that only a woman who’s worked in Hollywood for too long and has seen way too much can be.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
All that gnashing and suckling is old hat — as old as the burgundy fedora Jordan slips on when playing the more jovial of these brothers in arms.
—A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 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
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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
-
Not so merry Mary Nothing was ever easy for Mary this season.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
-
Paul Kent and his merry musical men will be live from 7-9 p.m., Los Gatos Coffee Company, 101 W. Main St., Los Gatos.—
Jake Richardson,
The Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
With hyperpop-ish glee, Barbie veered between musical, slapstick comedy, and melodrama.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
5 May 2025
-
Julian had a blast cradling the cooing birds and imitating the chant-like calls of the pigeon handlers, flapping his arms with glee as their flocks took flight and landed on command.—
Ashlea Halpern,
AFAR Media,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Videos online showed the ship sailing underneath the bridge, connecting the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, as its masts, apparently strung with festive lights, collided with it.—
Gabrielle Banks,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
-
With the coaches’ short on time to make plans for the festive season, the club pulled some strings and arranged a table for their Christmas dinner at The Fox at Shipley, a country pub 10 minutes outside Wolverhampton on the Shropshire border.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Montecito High School Para-educator Lindsay Swanson, an employee since August 2015, was praised for her passion and dedication while serving with a cheerful and positive demeanor.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
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The show follows the adventures of José, a cheerful and curious character, along with his best friends —Obi, a playful rabbit, and Kim, a curious monkey.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
The two shared a particularly special moment during the festivities when the 8 Mile star joined the bride on the dance floor for a traditional father-daughter dance.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
20 May 2025
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Inspired by traditional countryside festivities, the garden is a sensory celebration of land and heritage.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Jovial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jovial. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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