festivity

noun

fe-ˈsti-və-tē How to pronounce festivity (audio)
Definition of festivitynext
1
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter rather than mourn our friend's death we celebrated his life, and his memorial service was more notable for its festivity than its funereal gloom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in merrymaking
joyful or festive activity in keeping with their habit of doing everything in a big way, the couple's wedding will entail a whole weekend of festivity

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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 festivity On Tuesday afternoon, the severe thunderstorms reach Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans as Mardi Gras celebrations culminate in a final day of festivities on Fat Tuesday. — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025 Despite the altered parade schedule, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell celebrated the city's resilience, emphasizing the authenticity of the festivities. — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 The bulk of Mardi Gras festivities are in the morning and early afternoon, when wind will be the biggest problem. — Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 4 Mar. 2025 Strong winds and risks of possible tornadoes put a damper on some of the festivities in New Orleans, but many still hit the street for one of the city’s most famous celebrations. — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
  1. glee
  2. festival
  3. merrymaking
  4. cheer
  5. revelry
  6. merriment
  7. jollity
  8. gaiety
Noun
  • Trump and Vance, in one fell swoop, managed to embolden our adversaries (not just Russia — all of them watched this spectacle with glee) and alienate our staunch European allies.
    — Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025
  • An emotional dela Fuente cried tears of joy while Ho and other Mills players jumped with glee at halfcourt.
    — Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of glee
Noun
  • The festival will host four Anniversary screenings for audiences to celebrate the lasting legacy of these films.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Across its four-day lineup, the festival tells a story of how Jamaica’s bold, unmistakable flavors naturally lend themselves to reinvention— merging with global influences while staying true to their roots.
    — Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of festival
Noun
  • Alternatively, the Perry Lane Hotel, as well as the brand-new, Ann Savannah, will put you in the heart of the merrymaking.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2025
  • In fact, ancient Romans celebrated the day with a fertility festival with animal sacrifices and drunken merrymaking.
    — Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of merrymaking
Noun
  • As the camera panned to Brown, also clad in the glasses, the audience let out a few whoops and cheers.
    — Michelle McGahan, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • No need to wait on this one, studios or streamers: This played in the heartland to rolling laughs, tears and cheers tonight.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of cheer
Noun
  • With the game coming in February and the revelry leading up to Mardi Gras, officials wanted them out of sight as New Orleans would be inundated with visitors.
    — Rick Rojas, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The women in the fresco are both hunters and dancers, suggesting that the duality of slaughter and revelry was a central tenet.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of revelry
Noun
  • With just the press of a button, guests can activate lights and motions, to become immersed in a miniature world of merriment and magic.
    — Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 15 Nov. 2024
  • After all that merriment and frosty fun, travelers looking for somewhere warm and cozy to snooze can choose between Crystal Springs Resort and Alpine Haus Bed & Breakfast Inn in neighboring Vernon.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 7 Dec. 2024
Definition of merriment
Noun
  • Sign up Eating and drinking (Image credit: Riverside Luxury Cruises) The first thing to say about eating on The Ravel is that there is no Captain's Table or forced jollity with other passengers.
    — James Rampton, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
  • While the jollity may look a bit different from city to city, these global destinations keep the holiday cheer going year after year.
    — Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2023
Definition of jollity
Noun
  • His formidable rich voice voice always carried the gaiety of a comic opera basso.
    — John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Françoise wanders away from us, from the room, into her own thoughts, solemn yet full of gaiety.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 27 June 2024
Definition of gaiety

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Cite this Entry

“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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