Synonyms of merry

merry

adjective

ˈmer-ē 

as in jolly

indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor

the traditional depiction of Santa Claus as a rotund man with merry, twinkling blue eyes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• jolly
• festive
• cheerful
• lively
• laughing
• jovial
• mirthful
• joyful
• sunny
• witty
• happy
• gleeful
• funny
• jocose
• jocular
• blithe
• jocund
• amused
• playful
• bright
• smiling
• blithesome
• humorous
• amusing
• gay
• spirited
• delighted
• joking
• joyous
• cheery
• carefree
• lighthearted
• blissful
• upbeat
• animated
• ecstatic
• exuberant
• buoyant
• jubilant
• perky
• frisky
• vivacious
• jaunty
• sprightly
• chipper
• blest
• giggling
• exultant
• frolicsome
• peppy
• bouncing
• rapturous
• optimistic
• radiant
• blessed
• euphoric
• enraptured
• hilarious
• chuckling
• flippant
• sportive
• lightsome
• high
• gladsome
• rosy
• easygoing
• unconcerned
• riotous
• hopeful
• facetious
• cavalier
• comic
• beaming
• insouciant
• sanguine
• comical
• thrilled
• jesting
• zippy
• overjoyed
• elated
• exhilarated
• uproarious
• ravished
• farcical
• happy-go-lucky
• tickled
• antic
• joshing
• sprightful
• entranced
• devil-may-care
• sidesplitting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sad
• unhappy
• blue
• sorrowful
• melancholy
• depressed
• glum
• disconsolate
• anguished
• dispirited
• aggrieved
• forlorn
• downcast
• dejected
• despondent
• crying
• crestfallen
• abject
• weeping
• heartbroken
• discontented
• wailing
• saddened
• brokenhearted
• disheartened
• disgruntled
• moody
• doleful
• mournful
• dark
• joyless
• lugubrious
• sobbing
• gloomy
• low-spirited
• heartsick
• downhearted
• sorry
• cheerless
• sullen
• black
• gray
• dolorous
• somber
• grey
• sombre
• woeful
• plaintive
• morose
• bleak
• heavyhearted
• dreary
• dismal
• desolate
• depressing
• miserable
• lachrymose
• moaning
• saturnine
• groaning
• wretched
• comfortless
• dull
• woebegone
• sluggish
• listless
• lethargic
• torpid

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective merry differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of merry are blithe, jocund, jolly, and jovial. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

When can blithe be used instead of merry?

The synonyms blithe and merry are sometimes interchangeable, but blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When could jocund be used to replace merry?

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

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

In what contexts can jolly take the place of merry?

The words jolly and merry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When is it sensible to use jovial instead of merry?

While in some cases nearly identical to merry, jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of merry

Not everything about the holiday season is merry and bright. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024

Metro Phoenix Christmas lights map The Arizona Republic organizes an annual map highlighting some of the merriest and brightest holiday lights displays across metro Phoenix. —Shelby Slade, The Arizona Republic, 18 Dec. 2024

Instead of announcing a run for governor, Sen. Marsha Blackburn wished Tennesseans a merry Christmas in a new television and digital ad dropping statewide today. —Nate Rau, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Whether you’re drawn to a whimsical Fair Isle pattern or want something a bit more merry and bright, there’s a Walmart ugly Christmas sweater out there for you. —Shea Simmons, People.com, 12 Dec. 2024