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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivity
The rain attempted to put a damper on the festivities, but everyone came prepared (the venue was covered, and umbrellas were held to keep the couple dry), allowing the ceremony and reception to go forward in a grand and beautiful way.
—
Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Clayton said a few words to the Cougars star before walking away to join the festivities on the court.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The festivities started off at Chippendales, where Carole received two lap dances that were so racy they got banned from TikTok.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Lady Gaga, Green Day, Travis Scott and Post Malone serve as headliners for the main stage, kicking off the festivities for two consecutive weekends April 11-13 and April 18-20.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Clayton said a few words to the Cougars star before walking away to join the festivities on the court.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The festivities started off at Chippendales, where Carole received two lap dances that were so racy they got banned from TikTok.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
Lady Gaga, Green Day, Travis Scott and Post Malone serve as headliners for the main stage, kicking off the festivities for two consecutive weekends April 11-13 and April 18-20.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
-
What’s causing this mockery and glee at misfortune?—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Another way of positioning this reaction is as an example of schadenfreude, a term used to explain taking glee in someone’s suffering—and that’s a key reason to explaining why some people are reacting to the stock market dip in this way.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This kind of big festival is really a super good opportunity to send this message.—
Katie Bain,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
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The festival is opening with a female debut filmmaker for the first time in the shape of Amélie Bonnin’s Leave One Day, and seven of the 19 films in Competition are first-time Palme d’Or contenders.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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
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In fact, ancient Romans celebrated the day with a fertility festival with animal sacrifices and drunken merrymaking.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In the eighth inning, Soto made a running catch in front of the wall on a long fly ball off the bat of Anthony Santander — another moment that earned cheers from the crowd.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2025
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Iglesias also got a big cheer from the crowd after stumbling across first base on an infield single in the eighth inning.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Its annual Oktoberfest brings visitors flocking in the fall for revelry.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2025
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With its anthemic music, world-famous cuisine, vibrant architecture, and Mardi Gras revelry, New Orleans delivers a visual and thematic backdrop as hearty and flavorful as its famous gumbo.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Federal Street in front of the stadium, the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and two blocks of 6th Street in Downtown will be closed off to vehicles and filled with food, drink and merriment for Buccos fans.—
Ryan Deto,
Axios,
3 Apr. 2025
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There is much merriment all around.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
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With the Red Army closing in, such gatherings, expressions of a desperate gaiety, a fin d’une époque efflorescence, weren’t rare.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
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With the Red Army closing in, such gatherings, expressions of a desperate gaiety, a fin d’une époque efflorescence, weren’t rare.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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