as in jolly
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
the traditional depiction of Santa Claus as a rotund man with merry, twinkling blue eyes
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of merry
Our young hero Spike (Alfie Williams), having abandoned the secluded safety of his island home in the wake of his mother’s death, finds himself at the mercy of this merry band of bloodthirsty pranksters, shepherded by a sadistic Manson-esque leader, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell).
—
Katie Walsh, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
No side in the bottom five is having a merrier time than Leeds, who could be forgiven for turning their gaze upwards after a superb winter run.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Our young hero Spike (Alfie Williams), having abandoned the secluded safety of his island home in the wake of his mother’s death, finds himself at the mercy of this merry band of bloodthirsty pranksters, shepherded by a sadistic Manson-esque leader, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell).
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
The residents were excited to see both, but the real dog hopped down and went on its merry way, while Jennie stuck around to be snuggled.
—Rena Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for merry
Katie Walsh, Dallas Morning News, 16 Jan. 2026
No side in the bottom five is having a merrier time than Leeds, who could be forgiven for turning their gaze upwards after a superb winter run.
—Jack Bantock, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Our young hero Spike (Alfie Williams), having abandoned the secluded safety of his island home in the wake of his mother’s death, finds himself at the mercy of this merry band of bloodthirsty pranksters, shepherded by a sadistic Manson-esque leader, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell).
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
The residents were excited to see both, but the real dog hopped down and went on its merry way, while Jennie stuck around to be snuggled.
—Rena Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for merry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merry
Adjective
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While his jolly personality won him many friends at the top of the pyramid, his flock of ordinary Catholics saw only his other side.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
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The surviving kids begin to suspect something is up, but their attempts to appeal to this world’s sad excuses for adult supervision — a jolly mailman, a blank-faced nurse, and a talking train — just lead to more murders.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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They’ll be treated to an authentic Persian breakfast, while taking in festive gowns and sets embroidered with jasmine vines rendered in leather, a Hilá signature.—
Ari Stark,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
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This was the most popular festive plant in the early 20th century before being replaced by the poinsettia.—
Clarence Schmidt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Despite having her arms almost permanently crossed and a scowl on her face, Ivy eventually starts to warm up, especially to her cheerful, horny-as-a-chihuahua cabin-mate Ella (Ruby Stokes, recently seen in Bridgerton and The Burning Girls).—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
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Even the cheerful, bright yellow winter aconite (Eranthus hyemalis) that have crept out into the lawn have popped open a few of their cheerful yellow blooms just a few inches above the frozen soil.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merry. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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