JOY Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

joy 1 of 2

noun

ˈjȯi

Definition of joy

as in happiness

a feeling or state of well-being and contentment the inexpressible joy that the couple are feeling upon the birth of their first child

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in delight

a source of great satisfaction my car is my pride and joy

Synonyms & Similar Words

joy

2 of 2

verb

as in to delight

to feel or express joy or triumph the whole town is joying in the fact that its oldest church has been restored to its Victorian splendor

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 joy

Noun

Christine Baranski is one of the great joys of my life — to have been able to work with her, not just on that show, but on The Big Bang Theory. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026 There’s joy, there’s music, there’s magically regenerating food, trees that flower and fruit at the same time, piles of treasure, crystals that rain from the sky, everlasting happiness and health. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 The transformation has been one of the most delightful parts of Colman's Wicker press tour (which is saying something, considering the cast is a joy in and of themselves). — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026 What readers are saying The comments express overwhelming joy and relief at the positive news regarding Pope Leo's health, highlighting his importance as a religious leader and a beacon of peace and justice. — Anthony Faiola, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for joy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for joy

Noun

But the stand-alone fragment, in the seeming spirit of Franz Kafka’s surreal and unsettling fiction, links success to misery, and happiness to death.

— Robert S. Levine, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
Buffett’s view is supported by research that shows that people with supportive spouses tend to take on more rewarding challenges throughout their lives, and end up having more personal growth and happiness.

— Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of happiness

Noun

Grenada The new year marks the 150th anniversary of Spicemas, the annual August carnival in Grenada, which is known as the Spice Island due to its cultivation of nutmeg, cloves and other scented delights.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
That may not be everybody’s notion of delight, but each to his own.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of delight

Verb

Messi, at 35, led his country to glory against France, winning soccer’s ultimate prize in a pulsating match that finished 3-3 after extra time and had to be settled by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

— Patrick Smith, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2022
If Harris can bring together a family with Indian, African, and Jewish heritage, America can glory in its diversity.

— Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 26 Aug. 2020

Definition of glory

Noun

While some call it innovative, is there something that gets missed when the hard conversations about safety and pleasure become a digital feedback loop?

— Brittany Luse, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
Neufchatel Cheese This is just diet cream cheese, for those who prefer to sacrifice the small pleasures in life.

— Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of pleasure

Noun

For example, once a rat has been trained to push a lever to get a treat, its dopamine levels will rise at the sight of the lever before the treat is even available.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Each hot chocolate mix is packaged in its own decorative box with flavors like peppermint swirl, gingerbread, s’mores, chocolate cherry, and more to finish every day with a cheerful sweet treat.

— Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of treat

Noun

Just a little advance planning and plenty of time to focus on sweet potatoes, apple pie, and the rest of your Thanksgiving feast.

— Alton Brown, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Nominally this was a Christian feast day of Saint Brigid, patron saint of poetry and lambing, who was said to have lived in Ireland in the late fifth century.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of feast

Browse Nearby Words

jovially

joy

joyed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Joy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of joy

noun

verb

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