Merriment
What it means
Lively enjoyment expressed through laughter, talk, music, or playful activity.
Reach for it when naming shared, sociable cheer without implying lasting happiness
Music and merriment filled the square after the lantern parade.
Words to choose between 9
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
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| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when simple enjoyment is all the sentence needs
Careful Fun is broad and lacks merriment's audible, communal liveliness.
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everyday
Fits when a group's buoyant energy is the main quality
Careful High spirits can become disruptive and do not necessarily include shared amusement.
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everyday
Fits when the audible expression of amusement is the focus
Careful Laughter can be nervous, cruel, or solitary.
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warm
Fits when positive spirit or encouragement matters
Careful Cheer can be quiet and supportive rather than playful.
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warm
good cheer
Fits when friendly optimism and sociability matter
Careful The phrase is traditional and may sound seasonal or dated.
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formal
festivity
Fits when celebration and organized occasion are central
Careful Festivity can describe decorations or events even when people feel little merriment.
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literary
Suits conspicuous sociable good humor
Careful Jollity sounds old-fashioned and can suggest forced festivity.
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literary
Fits when laughter and amusement are central
Careful Mirth is more literary and may not include music or sociable activity.
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literary
Fits when noisy, energetic celebration continues freely
Careful Revelry can imply excess, drinking, or disorder.
Opposites 3
- gloom
- sorrow
- solemnity
Common phrases 3
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general merriment
A missed cue caused general merriment rather than embarrassment.
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music and merriment
Music and merriment continued until the final train.
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cause merriment
The dog's determined dance never failed to cause merriment.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Wodencafe, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated