joyful

adjective

ˈjȯi-fəl How to pronounce joyful (audio)
Definition of joyfulnext
as in thankful
experiencing pleasure, satisfaction, or delight the news of the child's safe return made us all joyful

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 joyful The rivers of people who crammed central Paris and their joyful enthusiasm rivaled other communal but nonreligious moments of celebration that marked France in recent decades. — CBS News, 26 Sep. 2026 And please remember that a joyful classroom is not an unserious classroom. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026 Their evolution from abstract expressionism into pop art helped usher in the movement and the bright, familiar everyday imagery that Max would embrace in his joyful, kaleidoscopic works. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026 Now go find the most joyful, most effective skin-care routine to point your complexion in the right direction, wherever that direction is for you. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for joyful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joyful
  1. thankful
  2. delighted
  3. happy
  4. pleased
  5. glad
  6. satisfied
  7. joyous
Adjective
  • Charity and neighborliness helped a lot — many victims are still thankful to churches and neighbors that volunteered their labor, according to Whitney Bailey, a disaster response project director at AppalReD Legal Aid.
    — Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Nelson will continue to serve as the organization’s president and CEO, and is thankful for the support of his board.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of thankful
Adjective
  • Producers weren’t immediately convinced, but the filmmaker was delighted to have final cut on his first feature and insisted that Adult Supervision had to go there.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Eliza says, seemingly delighted that someone has recognized their unproblematic existence.
    — Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of delighted
Adjective
  • Not everyone was happy that Zumwalt had been booted from manager Matt Quatraro’s staff.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Probably recordings of them complimenting one another and wishing each other a happy birthday and offering brotherly advice.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of happy
Adjective
  • Multiple reports indicate the royal family is less than pleased with Charles Spencer’s new book, but disgraced ex-Prince Andrew is reportedly one of its biggest fans.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Hughes offered the usual interview platitudes and seemed to be pleased with how his team was playing.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of pleased
Adjective
  • Somewhere between all the wings and dips, someone will be glad to see something fresh.
    — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The 6-foot, 200-pound Jenkins, known as Lightz by his teammates, wasn’t nervous about taking the field, just glad to be back on the football field.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of glad
Adjective
  • The judge was satisfied with their responses, as indicated in her four-page order on Wednesday.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Yes, there are only five visible drinks at the ready, and a Bills fan appears to be satisfied with munching on a sprig of herbs, but thanks to Sunday Ticket, everyone in the room will be dialed in to their favorite team.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of satisfied
Adjective
  • The show now possesses a spirit so exuberant as to enthrall for its joyous 80 minutes of running time.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Swift also takes a moment in the joyous track to share some sage relationship advice with listeners still waiting for their own Prince Charming to save them from the fate of Ophelia.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of joyous

Browse Nearby Words

joyed
joyful
joyfully
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Cite this Entry

“Joyful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joyful. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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