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
After all, the holiday never seems quite as complete without some festive tunes to sing and dance along to with your family.
—
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 25 Sep. 2025
This year’s options come in cute, festive packaging that will look even better wrapped under the Christmas tree or menorah.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Similarly, the Reformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan is a chic alternative, which can be worn on its own or as a festive layer.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled its latest addition to the 2025 stamp lineup, a festive set of Holiday Cheer Forever stamps designed to brighten cards and letters during the upcoming season.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 25 Sep. 2025
This year’s options come in cute, festive packaging that will look even better wrapped under the Christmas tree or menorah.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Similarly, the Reformation Clara Cashmere Crew Cardigan is a chic alternative, which can be worn on its own or as a festive layer.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has unveiled its latest addition to the 2025 stamp lineup, a festive set of Holiday Cheer Forever stamps designed to brighten cards and letters during the upcoming season.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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Great American Family is making sure that everyone's television screens remain merry and bright this holiday season!—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
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Big Sur has enjoyed a reputation as a dream destination long before Big Little Lies and its merry band of accidentally murderous suburban mothers came around.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Lily Mathé, one of the orchestra’s best violinists, vividly remembered being made to play jolly tunes in the SS officers’ mess at Auschwitz every evening while the guards ate their dinner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
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Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These cheerful yellow dishes remind us of our grandparents’ tablescapes with colorful arrays of roasted vegetables and desserts filled with fresh berries.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
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Garden statues peeking from behind planters, a vintage wheelbarrow brimming with fall blooms, or even cheerful pinwheels catching the autumn breeze can add charm.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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