JOVIAL Synonyms: 161 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of jovial are blithe , jocund , jolly , and merry . While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship. // dinner put them in a jovial mood

Q: In what contexts can 'blithe' take the place of 'jovial'?

Although the words blithe and jovial have much in common, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety. // arrived late in his usual blithe way

Q: When can 'jocund' be used instead of 'jovial'?

The synonyms jocund and jovial are sometimes interchangeable, but jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits. // singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

Q: When might 'jolly' be a better fit than 'jovial'?

The words jolly and jovial can be used in similar contexts, but jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting. // our jolly host enlivened the party

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

In some situations, the words merry and jovial are roughly equivalent. However, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity. // a merry group of revelers

jovial

adjective

ˈjō-vē-əl

Definition of jovial next

as in jolly

indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the trip to the amusement park put everyone in a jovial mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective jovial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jovial are blithe, jocund, jolly, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

In what contexts can blithe take the place of jovial?

Although the words blithe and jovial have much in common, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When can jocund be used instead of jovial?

The synonyms jocund and jovial are sometimes interchangeable, but jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When might jolly be a better fit than jovial?

The words jolly and jovial can be used in similar contexts, but jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When could merry be used to replace jovial?

In some situations, the words merry and jovial are roughly equivalent. However, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

Examples 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 jovial The jovial ending saw everyone from Q-Tip to Sammy Hagar to Jelly Roll on their feet and dancing. —

Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2024 For our introductory meeting, our jovial group leader Jan Curl — a longtime fitness instructor in her early sixties who went from being a Run Wild participant to guiding retreats — gathered all 12 of us in a circle and invited us to share the desires and fears that had brought us on this trip. —

Alexandra Kleeman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 Willie, too, was welcomed by jovial patrons in the restaurant where Heyerdahl was dining. —

Francine Uenuma, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 Alas, Gregg Lassen — the jovial 64-year-old from Florida who signed up to do Pascal's wash for $100 a load — did not receive a rose from Joan Vassos on this week's episode of Golden Bachelorette. —

Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for jovial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for jovial

Adjective

These tunes usually begin to surge in November, as the days following Thanksgiving often signify the official start of the jolliest time of the year.

Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
The video is a love letter to Paris as seen through the jolly eyes of Jacquemus, and features a cast of characters and friends (of Nike, Jacquemus, and the designer himself) including Serena Williams, Manu Rios, Central Cee, Carine Roitfeld, Amina Muaddi, and many, many more.

José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 10 July 2024