HILARITY Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

hilarity

noun

hi-ˈler-ə-tē

Definition of hilarity

as in glee

a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter hilarity is the last thing you expect to find at a funeral, but we were there to celebrate his life rather than to dwell on his death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 hilarity The process of building a character requires some degree of ego death, and as the old Mona disappears and a new Mona emerges, Moore’s own performance reaches transcendent levels of hilarity. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026 Punches are thrown, a bottle is smashed over Harrelson’s head and general hilarity ensues over the next few moments. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026 And there was much hilarity because the first one looked like a mole coming out of the ground. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 While the hilarity quotient is high, Chinn also sneaks in observant commentary on class, race, and gender—and the chemistry among the four leads is absolutely off the charts. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hilarity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hilarity

Noun

Detractors attacked the moment with glee, but that viewpoint ends up being shortsighted.

— Ken Makin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
The prospect of a flagship GOP state turning blue doesn't just fill Democrats with glee and Republicans with alarm.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of glee

Noun

Leaders, in particular, have the power to shift the mood of their teams, not by pretending everything is fine or manufacturing cheerfulness but through tone, body language, and small actions.

— Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 22 Sep. 2026
The service Professionalism comes with genuine warmth, cheerfulness, and a sense of people absolutely loving their jobs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheerfulness

Noun

Headlining the festivities is a halftime performance from Big Boi.

— Gavin Godfrey, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
But before its doors shutter for a while, the hotel is offering another year of holiday festivities, this time with a special twist thanks to an immersive collaboration with Parisian brand Repetto.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of festivity

Noun

The only fans left to make noise were the traveling Laker faithful who showered the road team with cheers at the buzzer.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
By the end of the fifth inning, the game was the type of blowout that would have rendered the Trop dead silent, if not for the cheers of so many Brewers fans finding a Florida bargain on ticket prices.

— Levi Weaver, New York Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheer

Browse Nearby Words

hilariousness

hilarity

hill

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hilarity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hilarity. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hilarity

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes