Merry

adj.joyful, energeticwarm

What it means

Cheerful, sociable, and lively with enjoyment.

Reach for it when describing lighthearted people, activity, or celebration in an informal or traditional tone

A merry group of neighbors decorated the hall while singing.

playful
gleeful
when excitement and visible delight are intense
not when Gleeful can suggest mischievous pleasure at another's expense.
playful
jolly
for hearty, sociable good humor
not when Jolly can sound old-fashioned, seasonal, or focused on body stereotypes.
everyday
festive
when celebration, decoration, or occasion creates the mood
not when Festive can describe surroundings even when no person feels merry.
everyday
in high spirits
when energetic good mood needs conversational wording
not when The phrase describes people, not decorations, songs, or occasions.
warm
cheerful
when positive mood is clear but not especially lively
not when Cheerful includes quiet steadiness, while merry is livelier and more social.
warm
joyful
when happiness is deeper or more heartfelt
not when Joyful can suit solemn occasions, while merry suggests lighter fun.
warm
lighthearted
when freedom from worry or seriousness is central
not when Lighthearted can seem insensitive where the subject deserves gravity.
formal
convivial
when friendly company, food, and conversation create sociable pleasure
not when Convivial is formal and concerns social atmosphere more than individual cheer.
literary
mirthful
when laughter and amusement define the mood
not when Mirthful is uncommon and may sound deliberately antique.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.