1
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
rather than mourn our friend's death we celebrated his life, and his memorial service was more notable for its festivity than its funereal gloom
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something
year-long festivities will mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in merrymaking
joyful or festive activity
in keeping with their habit of doing everything in a big way, the couple's wedding will entail a whole weekend of festivity
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of festivity
The league has been working to enhance the Sunday portion of the All-Star festivities, introducing a four-team tournament featuring NBA All-Stars and the Rising Stars winner.
—
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Combs’ holiday festivities aboard a 280-foot superyacht in the Caribbean around Christmas of 2022 offered one stark example of his polished public persona masking something more sinister, sources say.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
Rappers Nelly and Soulja Boy, as well as country artists Carrie Underwood and Billy Ray Cyrus, have also faced criticism for performing at festivities for Trump’s inauguration.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
With the move, Sewell joined Trump and his wife, Melania, in promoting digital currency coins in recent days, as the nation’s eyes have been focused on the festivities in Washington.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,spencer Kimball,christina Wilkie,annie Nova,brian Evans,alex Harring,yun Li, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for festivity 
Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Combs’ holiday festivities aboard a 280-foot superyacht in the Caribbean around Christmas of 2022 offered one stark example of his polished public persona masking something more sinister, sources say.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2025
Rappers Nelly and Soulja Boy, as well as country artists Carrie Underwood and Billy Ray Cyrus, have also faced criticism for performing at festivities for Trump’s inauguration.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025
With the move, Sewell joined Trump and his wife, Melania, in promoting digital currency coins in recent days, as the nation’s eyes have been focused on the festivities in Washington.
—Dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,spencer Kimball,christina Wilkie,annie Nova,brian Evans,alex Harring,yun Li, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for festivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festivity
Noun
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American scientists crowed with glee over evidence that America was as old as Europe.—
Caroline Winterer / Made by History,
TIME,
14 Jan. 2025
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Maria hides her pills from her household staff with the glee of a child stashing her Halloween candy.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Such a lineup is unknown territory for the festival, but Blanc was adamant not to deviate from the carte blanche principle for selections.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
29 Jan. 2025
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This year’s festival won’t be all that dry, either.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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For the Ryman show, that bit of merrymaking fell to Crow, Larkin Poe and Tuttle as Starr sang and drummed.—
Nancy Kruh,
People.com,
17 Jan. 2025
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The merrymaking vibes are cemented with a glowing carousel, nativity scenes (belénes), and loads of handcrafted ornaments and gifts to choose from.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Nov. 2024
Noun
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As the cheers echoed around the craggy walls of limestone, lit up with flashes of pink and purple light, there was a feeling of having stepped back in time, or perhaps onto the set of a movie—a sense that would recur across my week in the region of Basilicata.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2025
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And after the video ends, cameras pan to business operations president Crane Kenney’s suite, where Sosa will acknowledge the cheers and perform his traditional heart tap/air kiss salute.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Mardi Gras is truly a global phenomenon and every celebration is different, even if they are all tied to the liturgical calendar and the same principal of wild revelry.—
Jenny Adams,
AFAR Media,
23 Jan. 2025
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When this night of revelry abruptly ends, with a slightly intoxicated Nati sneaking off into the night, only to be sideswiped by a car while crossing the road, the incredible vacuum left by his death is immediately felt.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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These will continue until March 4 marking nearly two months of merriment.—
Olivia Munson,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
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With new books from Christmas romance stalwarts like Meghan Quinn and Jenny Bayliss, as well as cheery reads from Lucy Score, The Pumpkin Spice Café author Laurie Gilmore and Georgia Clark, there's no shortage of merriment rockin' around the proverbial Christmas tree.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Sign up Eating and drinking (Image credit: Riverside Luxury Cruises) The first thing to say about eating on The Ravel is that there is no Captain's Table or forced jollity with other passengers.—
James Rampton,
theweek,
6 Nov. 2024
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While the jollity may look a bit different from city to city, these global destinations keep the holiday cheer going year after year.—
Caitlin Morton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Nov. 2023
Noun
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His formidable rich voice voice always carried the gaiety of a comic opera basso.—
John Mariani,
Forbes,
27 Nov. 2024
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Françoise wanders away from us, from the room, into her own thoughts, solemn yet full of gaiety.—
Carlos Valladares,
ARTnews.com,
27 June 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festivity. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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