Definition of blithenext
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as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor a blithe remark that good food enjoyed with good company makes good wine seem even better

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective blithe differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of blithe are jocund, jolly, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

Where would jocund be a reasonable alternative to blithe?

The words jocund and blithe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When might jolly be a better fit than blithe?

The meanings of jolly and blithe largely overlap; however, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When can jovial be used instead of blithe?

The synonyms jovial and blithe are sometimes interchangeable, but jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

When is merry a more appropriate choice than blithe?

Although the words merry and blithe have much in common, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

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 blithe Saul Steinberg’s artwork captured the insularity of Manhattan, the blithe sense of locals that not much beyond the island really exists nor matters. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2025 Weary of dealing with angry calls from the mayor about Frank’s blithe trail of city property destruction, police chief Davis (CCH Pounder) warns him to play nice with major donor Kane, since Police Squad’s funding is at risk. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025 These lines are both nervous tics and statements of blithe confidence. Phillip MacIak, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Yes, the sun might be glancing off the snowdrifts, and the birds may be chirping away with blithe exuberance. Celine Nguyen, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for blithe
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blithe
Adjective
  • In recent years, Grohl has been in the news for less cheerful reasons.
    Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Just take a look at how this fence mural by Sarah Murphy adds a cheerful pop of color to this outdoor space.
    Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Knoxville and his merry band of delightfully sadistic goons are back for one possibly final rodeo.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
  • October welcomes the annual Amelia Island Jazz Festival, and December plays host to Dickens on Centre, which gives downtown Fernandina a merry Victorian makeover just before Christmas.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.
    Reid BG, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Glantz remained upright at his otherwise empty table, and his nonchalant noshing was caught on a CNN livestream of the room.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Brian Vicente, partner at Vicente LLP, is optimistic that this week’s rescheduling is an incremental movement toward de-scheduling and maybe even legalizing marijuana altogether.
    Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The Iran war has left uncertainty hanging over global markets for the past two months, but many market participants remain optimistic about where equities are headed, even in spite of record valuations.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The neighborhood Neighboring St Moritz was adopted in the 19th century by all those jolly-hockey-stick Brits, who introduced skiing and tobogganing, but little Sils Maria has always been more cerebral.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.
    Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The montage features Louis playing on the beach, swinging a bat, and jumping into the ocean—a snapshot of carefree moments typical of a normal childhood.
    Antonella Rossi, Vanity Fair, 24 Apr. 2026
  • If the precise crimping and styling of a pie is just too much for your carefree culinary ways, consider a galette instead.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After being bossed by Paris Saint-Germain across two legs in the Champions League quarter-final, Slot insisted the future remained bright at Liverpool.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Scientists have documented that increasingly brighter nights are altering animal behavior, reproduction cycles and survival.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • So pour yourself something festive and keep scrolling for easy ways to bring a little bit of Louisville flair to your wardrobe.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The siblings were spotted sitting near one another and chatting with other people during the festive event held in the Marble Room of Buckingham Palace.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blithe. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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