JOY Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

joy 1 of 2

noun

ˈjȯi

Definition of joy

as in happiness

a feeling or state of well-being and contentment the inexpressible joy that the couple are feeling upon the birth of their first child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delight

a source of great satisfaction my car is my pride and joy

Synonyms & Similar Words

joy

2 of 2

verb

as in to delight

to feel or express joy or triumph the whole town is joying in the fact that its oldest church has been restored to its Victorian splendor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 joy

Noun

Several of my favorite poetry collections capture the nuanced process of breaking up, with its extreme states of longing, anger, and sorrow—while also expanding the capacity for joy, pleasure, and compassion. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 Ultimately, the founder believes the customer should always feel your joy. — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026 That album represented a turn toward joy after the mourning that defined Japanese Breakfast’s earlier work, with Zauner finding room for hope without pretending the loss had disappeared. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 17 Sep. 2026 Related Video Vogue World 2026 Milan Livestream Brown has spoken about the joy of becoming a mother and her wish for a big family. — Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for joy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for joy

Noun

Blasting Sharon Van Etten music on the subway and grinding out 18-hour shifts in her scrubs seems to be getting the job done, but happiness is a lot harder to deny when someone becomes determined to share it with you.

— David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026
Counsell must know by now that managing the Cubs in September is not a recipe for happiness.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of happiness

Noun

And the fact that Maridueña spends much of his time in a coma is a waste for the Cobra Kai alumni, who is such a delight onscreen.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 13 Sep. 2026
The crowd responded enthusiastically to the proposal, and many of the president’s supporters expressed delight at the prospect of receiving $5,000.

— Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of delight

Verb

Messi, at 35, led his country to glory against France, winning soccer’s ultimate prize in a pulsating match that finished 3-3 after extra time and had to be settled by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

— Patrick Smith, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2022
If Harris can bring together a family with Indian, African, and Jewish heritage, America can glory in its diversity.

— Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 26 Aug. 2020

Definition of glory

Noun

And the duo’s domestic bliss is interrupted by the arrival of a third party — their older sister Ruthie (Stephanie Hsu), an uptight lawyer whose midlife crisis brings her down to her brother and sister’s level.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
And between now and then, thinking back to the bliss of your stay, with all of its special touches, exemplary food, and nearly clairvoyant service.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of bliss

Noun

Several of my favorite poetry collections capture the nuanced process of breaking up, with its extreme states of longing, anger, and sorrow—while also expanding the capacity for joy, pleasure, and compassion.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
None of these extensions are more than a short walk away from the Manor House (the walks alone bring great pleasure), and all of them are thoughtfully furnished.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of pleasure

Verb

Yet when this all really mattered — in the 2025 Abu Dhabi finale, when Verstappen was on pole and more than good enough to triumph over the orange pair with the overwhelming full-backing of Red Bull — McLaren’s approach paid dividends.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
And insurers — teamed with consumer advocates — triumphed, forcing Newsom to back down.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of triumph

Noun

Cozy décor, seasonal snacks, and sweet treats to toss in your cart.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Sep. 2026
In one corner, co-owner Teri Lippy, who runs the brewery alongside her husband, Jack, and Ray and Christy Hutchinson, leaned down to hand treats to two tail-wagging yellow Labs brought in by their owner.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of treat

Noun

Offered seasonally, each event spotlights wines from a new region paired with a family-style feast of off-menu dishes prepared by Le Crocodile’s kitchen.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026
At-home feasts for Thanksgiving and Christmas still will be offered this year, and the Samsons are considering a blowout New Year’s Eve soirée too.

— Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of feast

Browse Nearby Words

jovially

joy

joyed

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Cite this Entry

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“Joy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joy. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of joy

noun

verb

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