1
as in glee
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
their unexpected merriment made him nervously inquire as to the reason for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in festivity
joyful or festive activity
the wedding reception merriment lasted long into the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of merriment
Slope regulars know that après-ski is a time for food, drink, and merriment after a day out in the cold.
—
Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
But the day after the freezing celebration parade in Chicago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff in Florida, putting an abrupt end to national merriment.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
When the citrus trees come alive with ripe fruit in December, join in the merriment at the Orange Festival.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merriment
Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
But the day after the freezing celebration parade in Chicago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff in Florida, putting an abrupt end to national merriment.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
When the citrus trees come alive with ripe fruit in December, join in the merriment at the Orange Festival.
—Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merriment
Noun
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Anna reactivates her zest for cooking when Matteo’s father unexpectedly must drop out of cooking the final meal at the local summer festival, with Anna moving to prepare a nontraditional pot of shrimp and grits to the unexpected glee of those who’re tasting it.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
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The actor, 86, finds the revelation delightful, triggering a hint of whimsical glee reminiscent of Gandalf himself.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Just a short distance away from the ongoing Coachella festivities—where celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Lizzo, and Hailey Bieber, gathered to showcase their style prowess—Roberts looked effortlessly cool in a pair of ultra-short silk shorts.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
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The main-stage festivities at Coachella 2026 ended earlier than expected Friday night.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
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Lastly, yellow tulips symbolize cheerfulness, happiness, and optimism.—
Michelle Mastro,
Architectural Digest,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The celebration of Christ's resurrection, a core belief known as Fasika in Amharic, is observed a week after Catholic and Protestant Easter.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Within days of the ceasefire, the country’s Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum asked those in the UAE to lift a flag in celebration, generating a fresh wave of pro-emirates content online.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Just for Fun Driven largely by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, a wave of playful merrymaking that embraces maximalism, humor, and individuality is on the rise, Michaels reports.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
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Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Barring anything drastic, Fernando Mendoza will put on a silver and black cap April 23 to overwhelming cheers from his friends and family inside his Miami home.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
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Ramona Pop Warner is also seeking volunteer coaches for both football and cheer programs.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Winston Peacock’s Ghost of Christmas Present is especially winning with decidedly John Belushi-esque jollity.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The two no longer spar on air, so expect mirth rather than rancor at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
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From arena-filling funnymen to big-name package tours, there will be plenty of mirth and mayhem in local venues.—
Bob Mehr,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merriment. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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