as in jolly
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor the trip to the amusement park put everyone in a jovial mood

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective jovial differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of jovial are blithe, jocund, jolly, and merry. While all these words mean "showing high spirits or lightheartedness," jovial suggests the stimulation of conviviality and good fellowship.

dinner put them in a jovial mood

In what contexts can blithe take the place of jovial?

Although the words blithe and jovial have much in common, blithe suggests carefree, innocent, or even heedless gaiety.

arrived late in his usual blithe way

When can jocund be used instead of jovial?

The synonyms jocund and jovial are sometimes interchangeable, but jocund stresses elation and exhilaration of spirits.

singing, dancing, and jocund feasting

When might jolly be a better fit than jovial?

The words jolly and jovial can be used in similar contexts, but jolly suggests high spirits expressed in laughing, bantering, and jesting.

our jolly host enlivened the party

When could merry be used to replace jovial?

In some situations, the words merry and jovial are roughly equivalent. However, merry suggests cheerful, joyous, uninhibited enjoyment of frolic or festivity.

a merry group of revelers

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 jovial As is the case every year, his celebration cannot be too jovial, as his birthday is also the day of the reaping — when participants for the next Hunger Games are selected. Dhanika Pineda, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025 Two years ago, Fortune Magazine wrote about the erroneous link between Musk of Tesla and SpaceX fame and the fighting Phoenix of Elon University, and the tone was mostly jovial. Josh Shaffer, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2025 Just two weeks earlier, a jovial Manning recalled working with Jimmy Page and other giants of the music biz in an interview spanning his career from El Paso to Memphis, the Bahamas, and back. Jim Beaugez, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2025 Happy Happy is a jovial and optimistic character who always looks at the brighter side of situations. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for jovial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jovial
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
  • Sister Mary Guadalupe wears rimless glasses, and her eyes are shaped like a merry jack-o’-lantern’s, flat on the bottom with semicircles on top.
    Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Women deserve their own places at the top, and if that means more women are founding companies, the more, the merrier.
    Liz Elting, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Original price: $29.99 This festive pastel tower of eggs is a standout centerpiece for spring.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Each rabbit holds a festive springtime flower in a different pose that can be placed together or individually around the home.
    Ali Faccenda, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After congratulating the pregnant women, the husband and wife turn their attention to a cheerful Aisha.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The relaxed fit keeps it comfortable for all-day wear, and the sunny shade adds a cheerful touch to otherwise neutral travel basics.
    Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Jovial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jovial. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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