gladness

noun

Definition of gladnessnext
1
as in joy
a feeling or state of well-being and contentment felt nothing but gladness at seeing her best friend beat her out for the award

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contentment
the feeling experienced when one's wishes are met the children's gladness was evident as they opened their Christmas presents

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 gladness May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 Hazel shrugged, but Lilian could see her gladness at being asked. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026 Over time in Middle English, myrth(e) narrowed to mean joy, amusement, or gladness, often expressed in laughter and festivity. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gladness
  1. joy
  2. contentment
  3. happiness
  4. enjoyment
  5. pleasure
  6. satisfaction
  7. content
  8. delight
Noun
  • These days, Evan finds some joy with his parents’ dog, a Mini Aussie named Gypsy, which now lives with him.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • The days leading up to his passing were filled with joy, gratitude, peace and acceptance.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • But do all this with the knowledge of what brings you contentment—and start charting your course now.
    — Scott Snider, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
  • Barefoot in jeans and a T-shirt, the rock legend is the picture of contentment as waves ripple through the pool behind him from a breeze off the Atlantic.
    — Jeff Nelson, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Definition of contentment
Noun
  • In a way, playing baseball helps bring happiness to those going through tragedy, Rojas said.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The image is powerful — a dog sprinting across green grass, the quintessential picture of canine happiness.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • Transforming unused outdoor areas creates functional spaces for relaxation and enjoyment.
    — Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 1 July 2026
  • While enjoyment often leads globally, its source is the work itself, not entertainment.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of enjoyment
Noun
  • From activewear heroes to beacons of quiet luxury, here are all the labels running their own summer sales right now and the top picks worth grabbing from each (in alphabetical order for your viewing pleasure).
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • After learning of an evil rock promoter’s plan to use heavy metal to keep society sedated in a cycle of hedonistic pleasure, a stylish metallic alien arrives on Earth to save humanity and rock out!
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026
Definition of pleasure
Noun
  • Szall will receive a $5,700 prize for her design — and the satisfaction of knowing her work is now a piece of Atlanta history.
    — Staff, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
  • The satisfaction comes less from appearance and more from seeing something so distant directly with your own eyes.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of satisfaction
Noun
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
Definition of content
Noun
  • One of the artists Olivier interviewed, Xang, rapped at blistering decibels to the delight and confusion of a couple hundred stylish black and brown kids.
    — Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • By the time Soto picked the ball up and looked toward the infield, Springer was already around third base to score his Little League home run to the delight of the Rogers Centre crowd.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of delight

Browse Nearby Words

gladly
gladness
glad rags
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Cite this Entry

“Gladness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gladness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gladness

Nglish: Translation of gladness for Spanish Speakers

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