MERRY Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

merry

adjective

ˈmer-ē

Definition of merry next

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

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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

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Recent Examples of merry Ultimately, Charlotte's investigation leads her to face some issues in her own life and make peace with her friend just in time for a merry Christmas. —

EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Afterwards on Christmas morning, in these vignettes, slaves commonly wished owners a merry Christmas and long life as they were doled out eggnog treats on the mansion verandah. —

Robert E. May / Made By History, TIME, 19 Dec. 2024 Our gift to you: have yourself a merry little moment with giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao. —

Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025 The American musical before 1927 had been light stuff—part operetta, part revue—a merry playground for sparklers like George M. Cohan and Cole Porter. —

Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for merry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for merry

Adjective

The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
Winter break is a jolly time of the year for many children.

— Holly Garcia, Parents, 31 Dec. 2024