merry

adjective

ˈmer-ē How to pronounce merry (audio)
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

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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 Starr and his band of merry men would deliver a 100-minute-plus show that was filled with 22 great tunes that most everyone in the house knew by heart. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 12 June 2026 Reddit threads and gossip pages are ablaze with speculation about who will get the invite, but Swift seems to be opting for a more-the-merrier approach. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 4 June 2026 Noble performers, merry villagers, daring pirates, and wandering rogues anxiously await thy return! — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 6 June 2026 When former President Barack Obama addressed the massive, merry crowd at the Obama Presidential Center dedication ceremony on June 18, a few lines landed like a balm. — Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for merry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merry
  1. jolly
  2. festive
  3. cheerful
Adjective
  • The problem was that plenty of officials from both the government and national association wanted in on the glory, piggy-backing on the team for a jolly trip to the World Cup.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • The Tar Heels went three-up, three-down in the sixth, but the next inning Gallaher and his teammates were having a jolly time on a clear and cool evening at Charles Schwab Field.
    — Eric Olson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2026
Definition of jolly
Adjective
  • The Wharf also presents diverse choices, from Willowsong's local farm-to-table focus to Tiki TNT's festive rum bar, showcasing the capital's rich and varied gastronomic landscape.
    — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • This dip set features glittery red and green nails, accented with white and gold accents for a festive finish.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 29 June 2026
Definition of festive
Adjective
  • With both extended families gathered at Athen’s Piraeus harbour, we where given a tearful goodbye with hearftfelt prayers and cheerful optimisum to begin our American journey.
    — Phil Kafarakis, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Spend some time at a local pond or lake and greet these pretty waterfowl, observing their colorful markings and cheerful chatter.
    — Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Parents, 2 July 2026
Definition of cheerful

Browse Nearby Words

merriness
merry
merry-andrew
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on merry

Nglish: Translation of merry for Spanish Speakers

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