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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have happily shared their joy at being parents when speaking at different events, and have even given fans some tiny glimpses of life with their growing kids. — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Winning streaks bring a life of their own to a clubhouse, each day presenting another opportunity to extend the joy and methodically build a feeling of invincibility. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 On Chinese social media, the news was received by many with joy. — Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 23 July 2026 Especially someone like Nolan, who brought so much joy and light and life to everyone. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for joy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for joy

Noun

This accessible, free resource offers a tangible happiness boost, requiring minimal effort and providing an important emotional lift precisely when it's most needed.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Women are selfish, pundits argue, prioritizing their careers and personal happiness over having families.

— Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Definition of happiness

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

Gibby has also found domestic bliss, but is workshopping some solo shows in New York, and will play dates in Austin and elsewhere.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 2026
In a scene that unfolds in slow motion, a canister of tear gas is tossed into the couple’s home, tearing through their veil of domestic bliss.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026

Definition of bliss

Noun

Paramount+ delivered the main full trailer for season 4 on June 15, 2026, and it’s packed with dinosaurs, cowboys, horses, space storms, dreams, nightmares, fire-breathing dragons, haunted spaceships, and hallucinatory pleasure planets.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 July 2026
And while this author might be hung up on the obstacles Odysseus encounters, his travels are not without pleasure and thrill.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026

Definition of pleasure

Verb

The controversial footballer’s family also includes younger brother Jordan, who triumphed on season 12 of The Bachelorette and is still married to lead JoJo Fletcher.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026
The celebrities came out in full force at the FIFA World Cup final match game on Sunday, when Spain triumphed over Argentina 1-0.

— Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of triumph

Noun

With gallons of sunscreen, truckloads of ice and innovative hot-weather treats like upside-down sundaes, day camps are keeping thousands of kids cool in Hotlanta’s record-breaking temperatures.

— Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 24 July 2026
Fourth, treat culture, like employee retention and customer satisfaction, as critical balance-sheet issues, not just HR concerns.

— Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of treat

Noun

Coconut and sweet potato soup with cinnamon dumplings and wagyu beef fillets are decorated with edible flowers and foaming sauces—the experience is as much of a feast for the eyes as the tastebuds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
And while fans have been sated by the footballing feast, FIFA and its member associations have gorged on the tournament’s fruits.

— Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 July 2026

Definition of feast

Browse Nearby Words

jovially

joy

joyed

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“Joy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joy. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of joy

noun

verb

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