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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of merriment
The whole family will find merriment in hopping aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a four-hour, 26-mile, round-trip journey that begins and ends at the historic depot in Blue Ridge.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for merriment
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for merriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merriment
Noun
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As the base runners scampered home, tying the game, Chicago players and fans alike shrieked with glee.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
Bardem is captivating and formidable, grinning with maniacal glee at his every act of depravity and the fear and anguish of his victims.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The controversy is unlikely to overshadow this week’s festivities.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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The festivities were held at the terrace bar nine floors above Times Square at the Edition Hotel, and anyone sneaking in an illicit cigarette out on the balcony gets treated to a giant Wicked billboard flashing in LEDs.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Wine-Coca conduces to mental activity and clearness, prevents fatigue and exhaustion, brings cheerfulness and sweet refreshing sleep.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
29 May 2026
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This kind of optimism and cheerfulness can make leaders more empathetic and pleasant to work with, partly because psychology research finds that positive moods increase helping, generosity and interpersonal understanding.—
Aditya Simha,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
Noun
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The annual celebration was established by El Centro de Ayuda over 20 years ago as a way to curb gang violence in the 1990s.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
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Although the structure itself has been replaced, the site has been home to community gatherings, events, concerts and celebrations for the past 130 years.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Noun
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As an option off the bench, Aguirre could turn to 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, the youngest player in the tournament, who is sure to draw cheers from the crowd.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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Silence from the crowd and cheers from his teammates were Staal’s signal that the puck crossed the line.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
10 June 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
-
Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
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There’s a fair bit of mirth in all this, and in Glanz’s brittle, snippy dialogue, which is abetted by the casting.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
4 June 2026
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That character’s name alone — like the resurgence of Doofy — is an indication of the mirth the screenwriters take from skewering political correctness, cancel culture and social justice movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeTo.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 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
Cite this Entry
“Merriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merriment. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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