Definition of merrynext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of merry Petrie, Doz and Morrow play multiple roles, including a gossipy Greek chorus and the band of merry fisherman (truly an astonishing array of Canadian accent work on display). Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 In Don’t Get High, an alpha dork and her merry gang of dweebs start an anti-drug group at their high school to make friends and influence people. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026 For decades, The Boardwalk has been one of the few places in University City where places to eat, drink and be merry sit close enough together that diners can park once and walk between them. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026 If the album positions them in the lineage of sometime tourmates Modest Mouse and the Flaming Lips, Something Worth Waiting For sounds less like a swing for the big time than a merry jaunt into its general vicinity, happy to pick up any alt-rock lifers who’ll come. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for merry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merry
Adjective
  • The neighborhood Neighboring St Moritz was adopted in the 19th century by all those jolly-hockey-stick Brits, who introduced skiing and tobogganing, but little Sils Maria has always been more cerebral.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.
    Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Production recently wrapped in Detroit, Michigan, with a plan to release during the 2026 festive season after a festival run.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 May 2026
  • The festival is broken into two halves, with an Intermission Party in between, featuring festive food, creative opportunities, and music, offering a chance to mingle with the artists and fellow guests amid the beauty of the farm.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • Behind all the cheerful fanfare, holidays can be bitter pills to swallow, reminders of absence and lack and an inability to live up to all that happy hyperbole.
    Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
  • The speakers were agency veterans from the shrunken regional office who did their best to be cheerful.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Merry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merry. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on merry

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster