1
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
an especially jolly crowd of well-wishers at their wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
we always have a jolly time at their seaside cottage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
I jolly well agree that you did the right thing has become a jolly careful driver since his recent accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to joke
to make jokes
spent their nights around the campfire good-naturedly jollying and telling scary stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of jolly
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Bundle up and get ready to enjoy a jolly season this December, this month is packed with holiday celebrations.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
Megan Stein, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
According to the Google Santa tracker, the jolly old fella's journey will last 25 hours.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019
So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession.
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Adjective
As the jolliest day of the year inches closer, the sibling group breaks into the top 10 on a handful of tallies, as both their singles and at least one album are on the rise.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Bundle up and get ready to enjoy a jolly season this December, this month is packed with holiday celebrations.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
Adverb
The jolly decorators in this California subdivision have been decking out their houses since 1952, per the local Chamber of Commerce.
—Megan Stein, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
According to the Google Santa tracker, the jolly old fella's journey will last 25 hours.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Verb
As to the political will needed to jolly the process along, and arrange payment for those parts of the programme that will not pay for themselves, this can push both ways.
—The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019
So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession.
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolly
Adjective
-
Now Quentin and his merry band of murderous gays are dead by her hand, presumably leaving Greg to enjoy an undivided inheritance of $500 million.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In the Hollywood version, Julie Andrews plays the adorable Maria opposite Christopher Plummer’s dashing captain, leading their merry band of children out of Austria on the cusp of the Second World War.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Where to Eat Horta, Lido promenade, Funchal Horta, on the pleasant Lido promenade, serves delicious and healthy comfort food.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Take advantage of springtime’s pleasant temperatures with a scenic bike ride along the iconic Swamp Rabbit Trail or a picnic with live music at Trailblazer Park.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Next month, the Academy will dutifully hand out Oscars to an array of very deserving, very human winners.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
But to have some other physics end up looking so similar would require a very specific and improbable set of circumstances.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
When this verdict spread across the internet, there was one uniting trend: fans on social media couldn’t stop joking and celebrating about the outcome, sparking a deluge of memes about the event.—
Callum Booth,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The Atlanta official joked that the graphic must have been sent to him 10 times during the previous five days.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Other spots for post-ski merriment are The St. Regis Bar and The Vintage Room, both at St. Regis Deer Valley where raw bar delicacies, sushi and festive cocktails are flowing.—
Elycia Rubin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Always one to break away from conventional norms, Miuccia Prada showcased festive cocktail dresses with colorful windbreakers, including a silver sequin spring dress with a bright yellow jacket.—
Adam Mansuroglu,
WWD,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Coastal Mississippi is constantly surprising us, but one of its most delightful surprises is the fact that some of its beaches have white sand that rivals even Florida’s top spots.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
-
As always, British television is delightful and very confusing.—
Alice Burton,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Due to the increasing pollution in the world’s oceans, natural pearls are becoming extremely elusive—even still, according to Sotheby’s, the majority of natural saltwater pearls were harvested 100 years ago.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Bacteria pneumonia can spread to the bloodstream and cause sepsis, which is extremely dangerous and can be quickly fatal.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
Adverb
-
Cosmic bookmakers don’t make an impact terribly likely.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
TIME,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The team struggles terribly from 3-point range, averaging a league-worst 30.6 percent.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to jolly
Cite this Entry
“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share