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
In Tustin, the air was crisp, but the atmosphere festive.
—
Linh Tat, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025
More traditional entertainment was also on offer including a festive market, a song and dance number featuring Santa and an immersive pop-up ride to his workshop.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Runners dressed in creative costumes gave the event a festive flair.
—Martie Bowser, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Schwartz attributes its smaller crowds and less festive environment not to local lawmakers but to changes in ownership.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for festive 
Linh Tat, Orange County Register, 20 Jan. 2025
More traditional entertainment was also on offer including a festive market, a song and dance number featuring Santa and an immersive pop-up ride to his workshop.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Runners dressed in creative costumes gave the event a festive flair.
—Martie Bowser, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
Schwartz attributes its smaller crowds and less festive environment not to local lawmakers but to changes in ownership.
—Jonathan M. Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
Adjective
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But 50 years in, the legend of Lorne Michaels’ merry circus has already been celebrated, many times over.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2025
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished Christians worldwide a merry Christmas and thanked the Christian community for its support amid the Jewish state's ongoing conflicts with terror groups.—
Landon Mion,
Fox News,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The same jolly collection also returns to the Top Streaming Albums chart for another year.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
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Winter break is a jolly time of the year for many children.—
Holly Garcia,
Parents,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The news for the Red Sox is not nearly as cheerful, however, Despite the acquisitions of starting pitchers Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler, Boston will finish dead last in the AL East, winning only 78 games (77.6 is the exact projection).—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Since the days of Hillary, Sherpas have been renowned not only for their stamina at high altitudes and capacity for hard work, but also their cheerful friendliness and simple grace.—
John Meyer,
The Denver Post,
2 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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