1
2
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor a blithe remark that good food enjoyed with good company makes good wine seem even better

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective blithe differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of blithe are jocund, jolly, jovial, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

Where would jocund be a reasonable alternative to blithe?

The words jocund and blithe are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When might jolly be a better fit than blithe?

The meanings of jolly and blithe largely overlap; however, jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When can jovial be used instead of blithe?

The synonyms jovial and blithe are sometimes interchangeable, but jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

When is merry a more appropriate choice than blithe?

Although the words merry and blithe have much in common, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

Examples 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 blithe This is a sleazy, wretched racket, yet the film is nearly as blithe about it as Shawn is. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 July 2023 The blithe behavior of the officers and young women staffers in the photo is often unsettling, especially when the eight-member ensemble cast add an eerie soundtrack of laughter, accordion music or clattering spoons, as when the women eat fresh blueberries from china bowls. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2022 There will no doubt be some people who see the film and find its power structure, and its arguments, too lopsided, too blithe about Leo and all he’s carried with him into these trysts. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2022 The paper makes the blithe assertion that Ethiopians have been resident in the highlands of that nation for tens of thousands of years, but the latest research is that that just isn't so. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2012 See all Example Sentences for blithe 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blithe
Adjective
  • Single Woman Defies Stigmas By Sending Out Solo Holiday Cards By Melissa Fleur Afshar Life and Trends Reporter 0 Holiday cards are a cherished tradition, with cheerful family portraits gracing refrigerators nationwide each December.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Pansies bloom for up to six months, coloring the winter garden in a range of cheerful hues.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bringing his Rolling Thunder Revue tour to small stages across the nation, Dylan and his band of merry pranksters (Allen Ginsberg, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez) played music… and so much more.
    Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Though drinking spikes during the holidays − 47% of men and 40% of women admitted to binge drinking during the merry season, according to American Addiction Centers − more adults are actually interested in sobering up.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Louie’s nonchalant friend Murph (Alfie Gledhill), there to be part of a surprise, and Sam (Harley Wilson), Irene’s close friend who ignites Louie’s jealousy.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Video of the nonchalant greeting quickly circulated on the internet as new apparent evidence of the first families' comfort around one another.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And surveys indicate that business leaders are generally optimistic about hiring more workers in the coming months, expecting the incoming Trump administration to cut business taxes and regulations.
    Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
  • But as the winds driving the inferno have slackened, experts are cautiously optimistic that the blazes can soon be beaten back.
    Alec Luhn, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Winter break is a jolly time of the year for many children.
    Holly Garcia, Parents, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Arsenal were a carefree attacking side in 2022-23, but they are no longer tethered to that way of playing, so there are fewer moments for fans to get excited about.
    Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
  • In addition, my own research suggests that alumni spend less time posting carefree photos and videos when they are forced to deal with the mundane responsibilities of a full-time job after graduation.
    Bill Bergman, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand’s new Fall/Winter collection features the Women’s Knitted Greta Top, which can be styled under a blazer, the lightweight Octavia Cashmere Scarf, in a bright red floral pattern.
    Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Like most at-home teeth-whitening options, teeth-whitening pens contain an active ingredient to remove stains and neutralize tones for a whiter, brighter effect.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The cobalt blue, ruby red, and emerald green are gorgeous for a festive Christmas tablescape, while pink, green, and purple are perfect for a spring occasion or Easter.
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Elle Fanning, Kate Beckinsale and more stars switched up their Golden Globes red carpet looks for festive afterparty outfits.
    Meredith Nardino, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near blithe

Cite this Entry

“Blithe.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blithe. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on blithe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!