1
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor
an especially jolly crowd of well-wishers at their wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses
we always have a jolly time at their seaside cottage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in very
to a great degree
I jolly well agree that you did the right thing has become a jolly careful driver since his recent accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to joke
to make jokes
spent their nights around the campfire good-naturedly jollying and telling scary stories
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 jolly
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Bundle up and get ready to enjoy a jolly season this December, this month is packed with holiday celebrations.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
Angel Saunders, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
That Hilty and Simard make it so jolly is a big relief and a big surprise.
—Rachel Sherman, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019
So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession.
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Adjective
As the jolliest day of the year inches closer, the sibling group breaks into the top 10 on a handful of tallies, as both their singles and at least one album are on the rise.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Bundle up and get ready to enjoy a jolly season this December, this month is packed with holiday celebrations.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2024
Adverb
Demi Moore is having a jolly good time with her family this holiday season!
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 27 Dec. 2024
That Hilty and Simard make it so jolly is a big relief and a big surprise.
—Rachel Sherman, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
As to the political will needed to jolly the process along, and arrange payment for those parts of the programme that will not pay for themselves, this can push both ways.
—The Economist, 21 Sep. 2019
So Watt sets out to convince them that the real killer is Peter Manuel by — wait for it! — taking him out on a bender and jollying him into a confession.
—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times, 19 May 2017
See All Example Sentences for jolly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jolly
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
-
What might have been a pleasant interlude turned into an unhappy five-year-old and another frustrating exercise requiring far more customer effort than necessary.—
Roger Dooley,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The series expands the universe in a pleasant, mostly unobtrusive fashion, with one-off episodes and fun guest stars like Terry Crews, Embeth Davidtz, Anthony Edwards, and, in its best episode, Parker Posey and Jillian Bell.—
Declan Gallagher,
EW.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
After narrowly surviving the very injured Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, 131-126, the Denver Nuggets are slated to square off against the lowly Washington Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back tilt.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Staying here puts you within walking distance (and La Condesa is very walkable) of countless delicious eateries, trendy shops, and bustling craft cocktail bars.—
Taylor McIntyre,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk joked about actor Jesse Eisenberg undergoing military training after the film star was approved for Poland citizenship last week.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The Saturday Night Live alum, 49, joked about taking on the real-life coaching role during the Friday, March 14 episode of the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce.—
Rachel McRady,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The clip showed life before the tragedy — carpool rides and sing-a-longs with the kids as well as festive house parties with the neighbors gathered together — followed by Céline finding her son Max seconds too late, and the torment both families faced as a result.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
19 Mar. 2025
-
The festive evening, which includes cuisine from Arthur’s, an open bar and a silent auction, begins at 5 p.m. March 30 at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando.—
Matthew J. Palm,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Baez was a delightful guest this week in late night.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Here are a few delightful spring activities to try in the next few weeks, from spotting migrant birds in your backyard to building your own container garden.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
The calming mix of colloidal oatmeal, beta-glucan (a skin repairing molecule that smooths rough skin), and glycerin is extremely gentle and more than suitable for sensitive skin, too.—
Mary Honkus,
Glamour,
15 Mar. 2025
-
There was a lot of extremely negative feedback and people would not hold back.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
Adverb
-
In the movie, Nicholson plays a bank robber whose heist goes terribly wrong, leaving a trail of death and destruction behind.—
Gillian Telling,
People.com,
12 Mar. 2025
-
And, when Andreeva did just that and snagged the big title, no one who’s been following women’s tennis was terribly surprised.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to jolly
Cite this Entry
“Jolly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jolly. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share