as in festival
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
the town's annual Fourth of July carnival
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in carnivalesque
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of carnival
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
The music is built around three types of drums — chico, repique and piano — and reaches its peak during carnival each February, when dozens of musical troupes called comparsas parade through the streets.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Chloe McGowan, The Indianapolis Star, 27 June 2022
The Queen is also expected to attend the Derby, one of her favorite horse race events, a concert at Buckingham Palace and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, a carnival-style celebration during which many artists, including Ed Sheeran, will perform.
—Monique Jessen, PEOPLE.com, 12 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for carnival
Noun
Each April, Vidalia, Georgia, puts on a four-day celebration filled with live music, carnival rides, recipe contests, and one unforgettable air show.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
The music is built around three types of drums — chico, repique and piano — and reaches its peak during carnival each February, when dozens of musical troupes called comparsas parade through the streets.
—ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Whitestown's family-friendly Independence Day Celebration will kick off at 6 p.m. with live music, carnival-style food, a ticketed kid's zone and a fireworks show once the sun goes down.
—Chloe McGowan, The Indianapolis Star, 27 June 2022
The Queen is also expected to attend the Derby, one of her favorite horse race events, a concert at Buckingham Palace and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, a carnival-style celebration during which many artists, including Ed Sheeran, will perform.
—Monique Jessen, PEOPLE.com, 12 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for carnival
Recent Examples of Synonyms for carnival
Noun
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In the same way that SXSW emerged in the late ’80s to help solidify an infrastructure to support independent musicians, and a larger music festival ecosystem followed, Jupiter Festival Miami aims to pave the way for creators to be taken seriously as the next wave of cultural curators.—
Caitlin White,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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Established in 2010 by Marissa Amoni, Jenn Byrne, Lisa Gloria and Nate Miller, the festival focuses on showcasing only local artists living within 30 miles of Aurora, the release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The atmosphere, for a while, was carnivalesque.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
6 Apr. 2026
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Participants take over city streets for a carnivalesque monthly ride, contesting cars’ dominance.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Kate Perez The royal visit is part of the celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Of course, that’s probably because Boldy blacked out during his own celebration.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Chicago Police Superintendent James Conlisk responded by saying the Cubs might welcome a riotous crowd in the summer if the season went astray, blowing off their request.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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His current work is less abrasive, more reggae-themed than riotous.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dogfish Head is the official beer of Record Store Day and has gotten in on the festivities beginning in 2025 via a series of limited-edition Grateful Dead compilations titled On a Back Porch.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
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Privately, one network executive explained why the festivities moved forward.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The raucous entertainer, who made a name for himself 50 years ago in sketch comedy, has gone on to win several awards for his roles in SCTV episodes and Only Murders in the Building.—
Madeleine Janz,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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For those who’ve preferred their raucous energy onstage, the New York rockers stopped by Blue Room, the concert venue inside Jack White’s Third Man Records, to record their own Live at Third Man Records LP in 2024.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Keep track of your tone while Mercury squares off with boisterous Jupiter.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Ducks came out flying, more than matching the enthusiasm of the boisterous crowd.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Slain Supervisor Harvey Milk is raffish in his bust, tossing his head back with his necktie askance — the image is taken from a famous Dan Niccoleto photograph in front of the Castro Camera store.—
J.K. Dineen,
San Francisco Chronicle,
11 Dec. 2025
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Three or four decades ago, the newspaperman was appealingly raffish—at once a bum who drank too much and a knight-errant who charged unafraid at social injustice, succored the weak, and crossed lances with the powerful and arrogant.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Carnival.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/carnival. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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