Synonyms of merry

merry

adjective

ˈmer-ē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jolly
• festive
• cheerful
• lively
• laughing
• jovial
• mirthful
• joyful
• sunny
• witty
• happy
• gleeful
• funny
• jocose
• jocular
• blithe
• jocund
• amused
• playful
• bright
• smiling
• blithesome
• humorous
• amusing
• gay
• spirited
• delighted
• joking
• joyous
• cheery
• carefree
• lighthearted
• blissful
• upbeat
• animated
• ecstatic
• exuberant
• buoyant
• jubilant
• perky
• frisky
• vivacious
• jaunty
• sprightly
• chipper
• giggling
• exultant
• frolicsome
• peppy
• bouncing
• rapturous
• optimistic
• radiant
• blessed
• euphoric
• enraptured
• hilarious
• flippant
• chuckling
• sportive
• lightsome
• gladsome
• high
• rosy
• easygoing
• unconcerned
• riotous
• hopeful
• facetious
• cavalier
• comic
• beaming
• insouciant
• sanguine
• comical
• thrilled
• jesting
• zippy
• overjoyed
• elated
• exhilarated
• uproarious
• ravished
• farcical
• happy-go-lucky
• tickled
• antic
• joshing
• sprightful
• entranced
• devil-may-care
• sidesplitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sad
• unhappy
• blue
• sorrowful
• melancholy
• depressed
• glum
• disconsolate
• anguished
• dispirited
• aggrieved
• forlorn
• downcast
• dejected
• despondent
• crying
• abject
• crestfallen
• weeping
• heartbroken
• discontented
• wailing
• saddened
• brokenhearted
• disheartened
• disgruntled
• moody
• doleful
• mournful
• dark
• joyless
• lugubrious
• sobbing
• gloomy
• low-spirited
• heartsick
• sorry
• downhearted
• cheerless
• sullen
• black
• gray
• dolorous
• somber
• woeful
• plaintive
• morose
• bleak
• heavyhearted
• dreary
• dismal
• desolate
• depressing
• miserable
• lachrymose
• moaning
• saturnine
• groaning
• wretched
• comfortless
• dull
• woebegone
• sluggish
• listless
• lethargic
• torpid

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective merry differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of merry are blithe, jocund, jolly, and jovial. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

When can blithe be used instead of merry?

The synonyms blithe and merry are sometimes interchangeable, but blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When could jocund be used to replace merry?

Although the words jocund and merry have much in common, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

In what contexts can jolly take the place of merry?

The words jolly and merry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When is it sensible to use jovial instead of merry?

While in some cases nearly identical to merry, jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of merry

Besides its prominent cloud belts, Jupiter's greatest telescopic treasure are its four Galilean moons that run a merry race with each other around the planet, changing their respective positions from hour to hour and night to night. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 7 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

Getting everything on the table in time is always a challenge but each year, people show up, eat, drink and are merry. —Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 5 Jan. 2026

The New Year’s Eve box office tends to be sleepy, as many consumers prefer to eat, drink and be merry. —Brent Lang, Variety, 1 Jan. 2026