JOLLY Synonyms: 462 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'jolly' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jolly are blithe , jocund , jovial , and merry . While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting. // our jolly host enlivened the party

Q: Where would 'blithe' be a reasonable alternative to 'jolly'?

In some situations, the words blithe and jolly are roughly equivalent. However, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety. // arrived late in his usual blithe way

Q: When is it sensible to use 'jocund' instead of 'jolly'?

Although the words jocund and jolly have much in common, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits. // singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

Q: When could 'jovial' be used to replace 'jolly'?

The synonyms jovial and jolly are sometimes interchangeable, but jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship. // dinner put them in a jovial mood

Q: When is 'merry' a more appropriate choice than 'jolly'?

The words merry and jolly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity. // a merry group of revelers

jolly 1 of 3

adjective

ˈjä-lē

Definition of jolly next

as in merry

indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor an especially jolly crowd of well-wishers at their wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pleasant

giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses we always have a jolly time at their seaside cottage

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jolly

2 of 3

adverb

as in very

to a great degree I jolly well agree that you did the right thing has become a jolly careful driver since his recent accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

jolly

3 of 3

verb

as in to joke

to make jokes spent their nights around the campfire good-naturedly jollying and telling scary stories

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective jolly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jolly are blithe, jocund, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

Where would blithe be a reasonable alternative to jolly?

In some situations, the words blithe and jolly are roughly equivalent. However, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When is it sensible to use jocund instead of jolly?

Although the words jocund and jolly have much in common, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When could jovial be used to replace jolly?

The synonyms jovial and jolly 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 jolly?

The words merry and jolly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 jolly

Adjective

As the jolliest day of the year inches closer, the sibling group breaks into the top 10 on a handful of tallies, as both their singles and at least one album are on the rise. —

Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024 Bundle up and get ready to enjoy a jolly season this December, this month is packed with holiday celebrations. —

Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Belsnickel Origin: Palatinate region, southwestern Germany Belsnickel is a German monster who visits children to whip them into shape as a foil to jolly St. Nicholas. —

Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 Beyond jolly attitudes among fund managers and other market participants, the phenomenon traces back to low trading volume and a lack of potentially harmful economic and earnings reports, though jolly attitudes among investors. —

Derek Saul, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Verb

As to the political will needed to jolly the process along, and arrange payment for those parts of the programme that will not pay for themselves, this can push both ways. —

The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019 So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession. —

Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017 See all Example Sentences for jolly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolly

Adjective

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