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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Friends including Whitney Cummings, Kaitlyn Dever, Ben Platt, Olivia Wilde, Uzo Aduba, Joey King and Monica Lewinsky chimed in with glee in comments on the joint post.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
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Managers attacking journalists usually ends one way, and, predictably, Bild spent the rest of the weekend reporting with glee on Frankfurt’s defeat and poor form.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
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In anticipation of Zohran Mamdani’s appearance, the Otis Bantum gymnasium had been decorated with the makeshift festivity of a school dance.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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The actress posted a carousel of images to Instagram commemorating her birthday festivities with her friends and boyfriend Danny Ramirez.—
Sarah Sotoodeh,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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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
Noun
-
The attack, which left 15 dead at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration, fueled calls for tougher gun controls and more action to tackle hatred towards Jews and followed a spate of antisemitic incidents in Australia.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
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Named as a nod to the geography and industry of our county and region, the SAND + STEEL Art Fest is a free, three-day celebration of local artistic creativity and talent.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Wattson, the Kromfohrlander who stars as Copernicus, trotted out (in a tuxedo) with his trainer to audience cheers and applause.—
Abby Stern,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
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The celebratory announcement was met with cheers and sighs of relief, appearing to solidify the team’s home for the next three decades.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
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 12 May. 2026.
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