1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
happily accepted the invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in properly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose
one of those rare occasions on which business and pleasure happily mixed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happily
His exceptionally durable songs have become ingrained in the fabric of American life for many who grew up listening to them, and Tuesday’s audience at The Shell listened attentively and happily swayed along to the music.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Most of the staff are politely, if coolly, efficient, but there were a couple of more gregarious waitstaff at the restaurant who were happily chatting with diners, explaining the provenance of various ingredients.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
The late photographer Michel Hurst happily endured what most of us might consider suffering.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
These low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun can handle it—and will do so happily.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Most of the staff are politely, if coolly, efficient, but there were a couple of more gregarious waitstaff at the restaurant who were happily chatting with diners, explaining the provenance of various ingredients.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
The late photographer Michel Hurst happily endured what most of us might consider suffering.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
These low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun can handle it—and will do so happily.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
-
Indeed, Calvin is cheerfully lobotomizing a snowman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In Atlanta, my hometown airport, cheerfully marketed as the world’s busiest, had descended into organized chaos.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Armed federal agents broke down the door while executing a warrant for someone else, and rounded up the people inside without properly determining whether Juan was a flight risk or a danger to the community, said Lear, his immigration attorney.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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Ahead, garden experts discuss the reasons why soap can effectively deter deer and offer guidance on how to use it properly.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
If some people don’t pay their taxes or register their vehicles correctly, that cost gets pushed onto everyone else.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
29 Apr. 2026
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Part of the issue, Lopez argues, is that judges aren't correctly using someone's criminal history when making a determination on if someone should remain in jail until their trial.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In his opinion, and those of some other attorneys he’s talked with, there’s a belief that plea agreements coming from the prosecutor’s office aren’t always being handled appropriately.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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However, used appropriately, the approach has yielded positive results.—
Karen McIntyre,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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