as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
the gleeful atmosphere that envelops the host city of the Super Bowl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 gleeful
The post was a joke, and perhaps an effective one, maximizing the distance between Studio Ghibli’s tender, bittersweet, profoundly human ethos and the gleeful, dehumanizing viciousness that is Trump’s stock-in-trade.
—
Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 3 May 2025
Brant, Willem and Bonnie are all adults now and Idol is a gleeful grandfather of four, aged 2 to 5.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Dina seems positively gleeful to play the provocatrice.
—Robert Ito, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Most congressional Republicans have become gleeful spectators as the wrecking crew of Trump and Elon Musk has taken a chainsaw to our government.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 3 May 2025
Brant, Willem and Bonnie are all adults now and Idol is a gleeful grandfather of four, aged 2 to 5.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Dina seems positively gleeful to play the provocatrice.
—Robert Ito, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Most congressional Republicans have become gleeful spectators as the wrecking crew of Trump and Elon Musk has taken a chainsaw to our government.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleeful
Adjective
-
And in the middle is a holiday associated with merry drinking and a centuries-old religious figure: St. Patrick's Day.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Not so merry Mary Nothing was ever easy for Mary this season.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Crosby released a number of tunes throughout his career that were made perfectly for the jolliest time of the year, and his wins are still coming his way, even decades after his passing.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
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
-
Radio City Music Hall, the elegant home of the Rockettes, was festive and expectant — at least for about three and a half quarters.—
David Waldstein,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
-
Also available at Nordstrom, Reformation’s Mireille Ruffle Puff Sleeve Dress offers the same summer-ready fabric with festive details like dainty ties and an ultra-soft viscose material.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 May 2025
Adjective
-
In the video was a group of dogs, and a professional dog walker managing the calm and cheerful pack, sitting beautifully for the camera.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
Related Stories 13 Under-The-Radar Activities And Experiences In Key West The 11 Best Key West Restaurants On The Water Rooms And Rates The rooms are bright, cheerful, and simple, with colorful coastal touches in artwork and decorative items like pillows.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gleeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleeful. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share