1
as in cheerfully
in a cheerful or happy manner
happily accepted the invitation to dinner
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in properly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose
one of those rare occasions on which business and pleasure happily mixed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of happily
His exceptionally durable songs have become ingrained in the fabric of American life for many who grew up listening to them, and Tuesday’s audience at The Shell listened attentively and happily swayed along to the music.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Most of the staff are politely, if coolly, efficient, but there were a couple of more gregarious waitstaff at the restaurant who were happily chatting with diners, explaining the provenance of various ingredients.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
The late photographer Michel Hurst happily endured what most of us might consider suffering.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
These low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun can handle it—and will do so happily.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026
Most of the staff are politely, if coolly, efficient, but there were a couple of more gregarious waitstaff at the restaurant who were happily chatting with diners, explaining the provenance of various ingredients.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
The late photographer Michel Hurst happily endured what most of us might consider suffering.
—Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026
These low-maintenance plants that thrive in full sun can handle it—and will do so happily.
—Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for happily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happily
Adverb
-
Indeed, Calvin is cheerfully lobotomizing a snowman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In Atlanta, my hometown airport, cheerfully marketed as the world’s busiest, had descended into organized chaos.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
People dispense advice to our heroine of the kind that one encounters in stories properly poised on the cusp of life.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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Cook County Public Guardian Charles Golbert, whose staff oversees the cases of more than 600 adults under guardianship and has helped champion the bill, said face-to-face meetings are standard practice in his office prior to appointment and are crucial to properly assessing the person’s needs.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
Adverb
-
Having enough calcium helps electrical signals move correctly through the heart.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
6 May 2026
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The company said all of his original claims have been reprocessed and paid correctly.—
Jason Kane,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Adverb
-
In his opinion, and those of some other attorneys he’s talked with, there’s a belief that plea agreements coming from the prosecutor’s office aren’t always being handled appropriately.—
Shelley Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
However, used appropriately, the approach has yielded positive results.—
Karen McIntyre,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Happily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happily. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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