JOYOUS Synonyms: 94 Similar and Opposite Words

joyous

adjective

ˈjȯi-əs

Definition of joyous

as in thankful

experiencing pleasure, satisfaction, or delight a joyous crowd eagerly awaiting the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 joyous Nevertheless, City enjoyed plenty of joyous moments during their 88-year stay. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 The joyous moment of WrestleMania appeared to be a thing of the past. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 But playing big brother to his teammates, has been a joyous subplot. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026 The passing of 30 years has only enhanced the appeal of the group’s Nashville detour, shifting attention from the incongruity of Ween cutting a country record to the joyous chemistry between these old pros and young punks. — Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Pitchfork, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for joyous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for joyous

Adjective

Collier said the school district is thankful local leaders stepped in to negotiate with the Plaza’s owners and create a better deal for schools.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
So thankful to Alabama Athletics for refuting it on my behalf.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of thankful

Adjective

The children who’d grown up in the house—eight of them, raised by a single mother who emigrated from Ireland—were equally, if not more, delighted.

— Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Eagle fans were delighted to see Kaydee spend more time in Jackie and Shadow's longtime nest over the weekend.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of delighted

Adjective

Mike Skibbe, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Community Foundation, looked pleased as the event began.

— Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
In addition to lamenting the penalties, Johnson also wasn’t pleased with the offense’s performance inside the 20-yard line.

— Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of pleased

Adjective

However, Heaika expects some things in return and isn’t happy to see Ejva fall for his cousin.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
The question to ponder in sports today is whether speech functions as an act with a cost or as a renewable resource for an audience happy to waste time on slop.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of happy

Adjective

The Carolina Panthers better be glad that Wednesday’s joint practice against the Houston Texans didn’t count in the NFL standings.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026
Hot sleepers will be glad to know that the smooth sateen weave lyocell shell is more absorbent than regular cotton.

— Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of glad

Adjective

In most cases, the entitlement is not fully restored until the assumed loan is paid off, refinanced or otherwise satisfied.

— Sharon Wu, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Ellison has now satisfied that request, pledging in writing to release 30 films a year for three years and to give each a 45-day window.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of satisfied

Adjective

Led by Sreeti Mukerji and shaped by the creative vision of Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, ‘Don’t Be Shy’ is a joyful, heartfelt celebration of friendship, love, and the beautifully messy journey of growing up.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
The point is not that patients should spend the money on something joyful instead of medication, bills or another necessity.

— Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of joyful

Adjective

The interiors are just as blissful, with terra-cotta walls and smooth, wooden floor-to-ceiling wardrobes adding warmth to pale stone floors and marble bathrooms.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
There’s also a lovely six-room day spa and wellness center, where the relaxation room with a balcony overlooking the Rockies is as blissful as the treatments themselves.

— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of blissful

Browse Nearby Words

joylessness

joyous

joyously

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Joyous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joyous. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of joyous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes