as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor we arrived at the Christmas party to find everyone already in a festive mood, perhaps owing in part to the punch

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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 festive 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 Green could be seen helping his son Zane as the little one had his back to the camera and wore his festive pajamas. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Music performers and cheering crowds add a festive tone to the event. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Both siblings wore festive holiday headbands with two bunnies each on hopping springs. Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
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
  • 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
  • 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

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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