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

The depths of Trump's loathing for female merriment were exposed during his two civil trials for sexual assault and defamation of journalist E. Jean Carroll, who he attacked in a department store dressing room in the '90s.

From Salon

My will to live was slippery at best, but I knew I had to keep afloat for my eldest daughter, Grace, who loves birthdays, parties, and merriment.

From Slate

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

Related Words

• hilarity
• revelry