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as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor had a gay old time at the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gay contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gay are animated, lively, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is it sensible to use animated instead of gay?

The words animated and gay can be used in similar contexts, but animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When might lively be a better fit than gay?

In some situations, the words lively and gay are roughly equivalent. However, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When would sprightly be a good substitute for gay?

While the synonyms sprightly and gay are close in meaning, sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When is vivacious a more appropriate choice than gay?

The synonyms vivacious and gay are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gay Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a 2028 presidential contender who's openly gay, removed his pronouns from his profile on X in recent months, according to the Internet Archive. Erin Doherty, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025 McKellen also touched on the current state of LGBTQ+ representation in several areas, pointing out there still has not been an openly gay Oscar winner for Best Actor nor an openly gay U.K. prime minister or Premier League soccer player. Sharareh Drury, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 What’s critical to understand is that House music came from Black creatives, gay and straight. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2025 Openly gay costume designer Paul Tazewell accepted the golden statuette in an emotional acceptance speech. Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
Adjective
  • This means that the growing international voting bloc is an Oscar force to be reckoned with for animated feature.
    Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The Oscar nominee walked the runway with dramatic, out-to-there lashes that would feel right at home on an animated heroine or villain.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s a certain undone sophistication in my work—think bourgeois meets grunge, or couture sensibility with a nonchalant attitude.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Hinged on nonchalant tailoring with whiffs of countryside chic, the fall 2025 collection codesigned by the husband-and-wife duo debuts Wednesday during Milan Fashion Week.
    Martino Carrera, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Get inspired by these merry, bright, and unabashedly playful interiors from past editions of AD All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors.
    Madeleine Luckel, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Tristan’s on pigeon patrol, and a merry Christmas to all.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus, their cheerful blooms and tall stems ensure these flowers will be a striking addition to any landscape.
    Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Washington earlier this month abruptly suspended military aid to Ukraine following a heated exchange between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, just hours after the cheerful TSMC ceremony.
    Wayne Chang, CNN, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • At night, many of these fishing vessels turn on bright lights to lure squid to the surface, where they are harvested using a large net.
    Avery Schmitz, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • That’s exactly what happens, but our eyes (which are not blessed with high dynamic range) see a bright side of the moon and an almost black side as Earth’s shadow travels across it.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lucky Charms Rainbow Sprinkles Lucky Charms Rainbow Sprinkles cereal boasts a delicious birthday cake flavor with confetti sprinkle pieces, making every bite a joyful explosion of fun.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Alyssa describes her work as colorful and joyful, often incorporating small details that together tell a larger story.
    Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, Jelly Roll is tied with Kane Brown for the longest active run of Country Airplay No. 1s.
    Jim Asker, Billboard, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Fall-sowing gives plants more time to establish before the heat of summer sets in and shuts down active growth.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And finally there’s the activity of surfing itself: magical and carefree, riding a pristine wave along the sun-dappled coastline.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 4 Mar. 2025
  • His grizzled voice lays into lyrics about soaking in a carefree day, from first sunlight to when the sun’s rays fade.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 3 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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