1
as in glee
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
their unexpected merriment made him nervously inquire as to the reason for it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in festivity
joyful or festive activity
the wedding reception merriment lasted long into the night
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of merriment
The whole family will find merriment in hopping aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a four-hour, 26-mile, round-trip journey that begins and ends at the historic depot in Blue Ridge.
—
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Slope regulars know that après-ski is a time for food, drink, and merriment after a day out in the cold.
—Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
But the day after the freezing celebration parade in Chicago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff in Florida, putting an abrupt end to national merriment.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merriment
Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Slope regulars know that après-ski is a time for food, drink, and merriment after a day out in the cold.
—Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Jan. 2026
But the day after the freezing celebration parade in Chicago, the space shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff in Florida, putting an abrupt end to national merriment.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The games spot and brewery celebrated seven years with a farewell bash replete with games, beer and merriment.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for merriment
Recent Examples of Synonyms for merriment
Noun
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New York with aplomb, expressing glee about the network being able to keep the project a secret.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 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
Noun
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Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
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As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 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
Noun
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Just for Fun Driven largely by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, a wave of playful merrymaking that embraces maximalism, humor, and individuality is on the rise, Michaels reports.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
12 Mar. 2026
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Museums also make for a great break from holiday-merrymaking.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The last high school cheers are here.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Whether the cheers for Domingo will translate into redemption remains to be seen.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Winston Peacock’s Ghost of Christmas Present is especially winning with decidedly John Belushi-esque jollity.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The two no longer spar on air, so expect mirth rather than rancor at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
14 Mar. 2026
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From arena-filling funnymen to big-name package tours, there will be plenty of mirth and mayhem in local venues.—
Bob Mehr,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Merriment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/merriment. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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