1
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
rather than mourn our friend's death we celebrated his life, and his memorial service was more notable for its festivity than its funereal gloom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in merrymaking
joyful or festive activity
in keeping with their habit of doing everything in a big way, the couple's wedding will entail a whole weekend of festivity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivity
President Trump raised $239 million for his inauguration festivities in January, a norm-shattering amount fueled by corporate America’s desire to curry favor with a famously transactional president.
—
Theodore Schleifer, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
The event’s festivities encompass traditional polka music and dancing, a pierogi eating contest, the crowning of Miss Dyngus Day, a street festival, an all-day performance by polka personality, DJ Kishka.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Look for new animations that nod to the festivities peppered throughout the ride’s digital games.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The festivities culminate with a traditional cricket match between teams from east and west Bermuda that has all the islanders rooting for one team or another.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Theodore Schleifer, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
The event’s festivities encompass traditional polka music and dancing, a pierogi eating contest, the crowning of Miss Dyngus Day, a street festival, an all-day performance by polka personality, DJ Kishka.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Look for new animations that nod to the festivities peppered throughout the ride’s digital games.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The festivities culminate with a traditional cricket match between teams from east and west Bermuda that has all the islanders rooting for one team or another.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
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Another way of positioning this reaction is as an example of schadenfreude, a term used to explain taking glee in someone’s suffering—and that’s a key reason to explaining why some people are reacting to the stock market dip in this way.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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What’s causing this mockery and glee at misfortune?—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The festival returns to Douglass Park from September 19-21.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
23 Apr. 2025
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The festival will also feature an exclusive first look at Ken Burns‘ upcoming six-part, 12-hour docuseries The American Revolution, premiering Nov. 16 on PBS.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Alternatively, the Perry Lane Hotel, as well as the brand-new, Ann Savannah, will put you in the heart of the merrymaking.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2025
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In fact, ancient Romans celebrated the day with a fertility festival with animal sacrifices and drunken merrymaking.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There were cheers from many corners Monday at the ribbon cutting for the Towneplace Suites by Marriott, a 176-room extended stay hotel that’s definitely a standout building on West San Carlos Street.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2025
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When Heupel was the first face to emerge from the buses, he was greeted with a raucous cheer as soon as his white sneakers touched the pavement.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Travelers come here seeking transformation—whether through serene spirituality or wild revelry.—
Christina Fang,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Apr. 2025
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The revelry lasted deep into the night, as fans splintered off to assorted afterparties, eventually heading to bed ahead of the first full day of the fest on Friday.—
William Earl,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This affection is palpable when kids laugh right back at Steve’s wild-eyed merriment and his sympatico rivalry with Garrett.—
Armond White,
National Review,
16 Apr. 2025
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Choreography and merriment Hyundai will announce a $20 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing on Monday during an event at the White House, people familiar with the matter told CNBC.—
Jacob Pramuk,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sign up Eating and drinking (Image credit: Riverside Luxury Cruises) The first thing to say about eating on The Ravel is that there is no Captain's Table or forced jollity with other passengers.—
James Rampton,
theweek,
6 Nov. 2024
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While the jollity may look a bit different from city to city, these global destinations keep the holiday cheer going year after year.—
Caitlin Morton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Nov. 2023
Noun
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With the Red Army closing in, such gatherings, expressions of a desperate gaiety, a fin d’une époque efflorescence, weren’t rare.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
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With the Red Army closing in, such gatherings, expressions of a desperate gaiety, a fin d’une époque efflorescence, weren’t rare.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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