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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festive
From grilling fare to festive sweet treats, here's what to add to your cart in May.
—
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
Highlights on the agenda included a military welcome on the South Lawn of the White House, a glittering state dinner hosted by the Trumps, a historic address by King Charles to Congress, a busy day in New York City and a festive block party in Virginia for America's semiquincentennial.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
During the holiday season, the historic downtown welcomes over 2 million visitors to enjoy the festive activities, decorations and Christmas market.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Stock up on these for everyday dining and festive barbeques.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026
Highlights on the agenda included a military welcome on the South Lawn of the White House, a glittering state dinner hosted by the Trumps, a historic address by King Charles to Congress, a busy day in New York City and a festive block party in Virginia for America's semiquincentennial.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
During the holiday season, the historic downtown welcomes over 2 million visitors to enjoy the festive activities, decorations and Christmas market.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
Stock up on these for everyday dining and festive barbeques.
—Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
-
Looking for an excuse to eat, drink and be merry this weekend?—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Knoxville and his merry band of delightfully sadistic goons are back for one possibly final rodeo.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The neighborhood Neighboring St Moritz was adopted in the 19th century by all those jolly-hockey-stick Brits, who introduced skiing and tobogganing, but little Sils Maria has always been more cerebral.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Behind all the cheerful fanfare, holidays can be bitter pills to swallow, reminders of absence and lack and an inability to live up to all that happy hyperbole.—
Felicia Feaster,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
-
The speakers were agency veterans from the shrunken regional office who did their best to be cheerful.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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