merriment

[ mer-ee-muhnt, mer-i‐ ]

noun

1. cheerful or joyful gaiety; mirth; hilarity; laughter.

   Antonyms: melancholy, misery

2. Obsolete. a cause of mirth; a jest, entertainment, etc.

merriment

/ ˈmɛrɪmənt /

noun

1. gaiety, fun, or mirth

Other Words From

• over·merri·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of merriment¹

First recorded in 1570–80; merry + -ment

Synonym Study

See mirth.

Example Sentences

Ahead of the annual letters complaining that the Dodgers celebrate the winning of a mere division title with Champagne and much merriment, a reminder:

From Los Angeles Times

But in L.A., the kids began running around the stage in wild merriment, still playing, still on the beat.

From Los Angeles Times

There was much merriment in the political press over this because Trump is forever accusing his opponent, President Joe Biden, of being "sleepy."

From Salon

As more participants joined Threads, a palpable enthusiasm, even merriment, broke out; it was like watching a schoolyard of kids unleashed from detention.

From Seattle Times

The paper also covered events such as Citizenship Day, remarking that “the catching of the greased pig afforded much merriment to onlookers.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• hilarity
• revelry