as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
we arrived at the Christmas party to find everyone already in a festive mood, perhaps owing in part to the punch
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Recent Examples of festive
The attacks came a day after Israeli airstrikes hit in Tehran as Iranians celebrated the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that has been muted by the war.
—
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
Supporters had been treated to an incredible attacking display, and the festive mood improved further still when Szczesny came on.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Iranians were also celebrating the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday, as Israeli airstrikes landed in Tehran.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Iranians were also celebrating the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that is more subdued this year.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
ABC News, 21 Mar. 2026
Supporters had been treated to an incredible attacking display, and the festive mood improved further still when Szczesny came on.
—Pol Ballús, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Iranians were also celebrating the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday, as Israeli airstrikes landed in Tehran.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Iranians were also celebrating the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, a normally festive holiday that is more subdued this year.
—Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Petrie, Doz and Morrow play multiple roles, including a gossipy Greek chorus and the band of merry fisherman (truly an astonishing array of Canadian accent work on display).—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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These are the chapters that feature the merry trickster of the forest, Tom Bombadil, a classic fiddle-dee-dee-mischief type who waylays the hobbits at the onset of their quest.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
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Vivacious Mars dances with jolly Jupiter, energizing your 6th House of Practice and your 10th House of Ambition.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The less cheerful part of all this is that Great America is unlikely to celebrate a 52nd birthday.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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For generations of Valley families, this scene has unfolded at Castles N' Coasters, a cheerful outpost of fun in the desert that lives in nearly everyone's memory.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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