1
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delight
a source of great satisfaction
my car is my pride and joy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Part of the joy of the job is the ability to initiate some innovative changes at the winery.
—Liz Thach, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Nicole Chung, Time, 25 July 2023
In Rachel Kushner’s essay collection, The Hard Crowd, specifically the titular essay, there is an ode to joy near the beginning.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for joy
Noun
Constantine isn’t a total tour de force, but that’s also a big part of the joy of the movie and what leaves me unmoved by all the talk of a sequel.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Part of the joy of the job is the ability to initiate some innovative changes at the winery.
—Liz Thach, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
Acevedo’s treatment of magic as an everyday possibility is compelling, but there is also magic in the wonder, surprise, frustrations, and joys the characters experience in their relationships with one another.
—Nicole Chung, Time, 25 July 2023
In Rachel Kushner’s essay collection, The Hard Crowd, specifically the titular essay, there is an ode to joy near the beginning.
—Harper's BAZAAR, 31 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for joy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for joy
Noun
-
Through liberating song and dance and bold visuals, this odyssey follows the journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, each pursuing their own happiness.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
3 Mar. 2025
-
That happiness was quickly tempered as OA and the team discovered that Gemma, who was raised on the Upper East Side in a world of penthouses and private schools, had some unsavory friends.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The chorizo and potato taco is a delight, featuring chunks of potato rich with spicy pork fat and bits of salty meat.—
Edmund Tijerina,
Bon Appétit,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The interiors are beautifully designed, and outside, the gardens are a true delight.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2025
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
Noun
-
Chair Yoga with Susie, experience bliss and wellbeing.—
Ramona Sentinel,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
-
There, the two women reunite as wedding bliss gives way to murder and betrayal.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
See Our Guide Charlottesville Charlottesville is a pleasure to visit due to its tasty food scene and a plethora of beautiful shops, including a vast selection of antique stores.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2025
-
In pleasure, this retrograde revealed how emotional safety and erotic freedom were deeply connected, possibly inviting a softer, more intentional relationship with personal needs.—
Colin Bedell,
Them,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Alisson was inspired and Newcastle twice hit the woodwork, while Liverpool were clinical, with that pattern being repeated during the next fixture on Tyneside, when the visitors triumphed despite being a man down for 62 minutes.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
In the end, JW & Jorja triumphed with an 11-4 fifth game win to secure the gold.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Frozen yogurt faithfuls can shop the deluxe version of this appliance to make this treat and even more desserts.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Go have all the cuddles and eat all the doggie treats!—
Ross Rosenfeld,
Newsweek,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Red Cat’s new dinner shows feature multi-course meals paired with live performances, creating a true feast for the senses.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, features elaborate feasts and the symbolic act of cleaning homes to welcome new beginnings.—
Matt Rozo,
The Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Joy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/joy. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share