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
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Recent Examples of gleeful
Santat’s illustrations begin with straightforward, muted sincerity and become brighter, busier, and more gleeful—filling every corner of the page—as Sharpson’s narrator becomes ever more unhinged, ranting about fish spies, fish disguises, and fish taking over the world.
—
Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The aggressive tactics of the agents and the gleeful social media posts by DHS accusing protesters of serious crimes, Fishman said, affect people’s willingness to publicly challenge the mass deportation policies.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
O’Brien, 86, is a gleeful raconteur who has worked as a director in the theater since the 1960s, picking up four Tony Awards along the way, including for Hairspray, and has enough anecdotes to fill at least two memoirs.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Balancing their orchestrated plans with the spontaneity of a real participant is what gave the series its gleeful tension.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The aggressive tactics of the agents and the gleeful social media posts by DHS accusing protesters of serious crimes, Fishman said, affect people’s willingness to publicly challenge the mass deportation policies.
—A.c. Thompson, ProPublica, 14 Apr. 2026
O’Brien, 86, is a gleeful raconteur who has worked as a director in the theater since the 1960s, picking up four Tony Awards along the way, including for Hairspray, and has enough anecdotes to fill at least two memoirs.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2026
Balancing their orchestrated plans with the spontaneity of a real participant is what gave the series its gleeful tension.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gleeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gleeful
Adjective
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Looking for an excuse to eat, drink and be merry this weekend?—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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Knoxville and his merry band of delightfully sadistic goons are back for one possibly final rodeo.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The neighborhood Neighboring St Moritz was adopted in the 19th century by all those jolly-hockey-stick Brits, who introduced skiing and tobogganing, but little Sils Maria has always been more cerebral.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Of course, even for me there were still some jolly moments.—
Christine Smallwood,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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During the holiday season, the historic downtown welcomes over 2 million visitors to enjoy the festive activities, decorations and Christmas market.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Apr. 2026
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Stock up on these for everyday dining and festive barbeques.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The French—and, later, Anglo (Wilde, Beardsley, Rossetti)—attitude, mannered and morbid, was perhaps too Old World, at odds with our cheerful, Protestant rapacity.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Create a cheerful canvas collage inspired by artist Robin Anne Cooper.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gleeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gleeful. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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