cheer 1 of 2

verb

Definition of cheernext
1
as in to applaud
to declare enthusiastic approval of critics and fans alike have cheered the latest addition to the author's series of fantasy novels

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2
as in to reassure
to ease the grief or distress of let's hope that these flowers will cheer my ailing aunt at least a little

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cheer

2 of 2

noun

ˈchir How to pronounce cheer (audio)
1
as in glee
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter a birthday celebration filled with affection and cheer

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in relief
a feeling of ease from grief or trouble the visiting general had some words of cheer for each of the hospital's recuperating soldiers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in spirit
a state of mind dominated by a particular emotion be of good cheer in this Christmas season

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4
as in ovation
enthusiastic and usually public expression of approval all three movies in the series received cheers from fans of the novels

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cheer
Verb
Residents boarded buses earlier Tuesday to head to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to cheer the players on in person. — Christine Sloan, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Former University of Florida Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow cheers with fans during the Florida Legends Experience at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Gainesville on Sunday, August 23, 2026. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
The entire gymnasium roared with claps and cheers, the loudest and most fervent applause of the evening. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 The boos were more scattered and barely audible amidst the applause and cheers, which grew louder when the ballpark’s video boards showed the 2018 champ smiling, clapping, and waving from the visitors’ dugout. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheer
  1. applaud
  2. reassure
  3. glee
  4. relief
  5. spirit
  6. ovation
  7. praise
  8. assure
Verb
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Whatever our party affiliation or political views, Americans should appreciate Roosevelt’s ingenuity, determination and confidence and applaud Eisenhower’s competence, planning and stewardship.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • History suggests that anxious allies who are not reassured by their more powerful patron will invest in their own defense.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Comments from the new Fed chair appeared to reassure Wall Street that fighting inflation remains the priority for the central bank.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of reassure
Noun
  • The next day, JT showed a snippet of his viral cameo that had everyone and their mother throwing up their phones in glee.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Other, less cartoonish responses have lingered on Cambridge’s comparable glee in brandishing Arday in the first place.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of glee
Noun
  • Taylor pitched a career-high 2 2/3 scoreless relief innings and was credited with the win as the Sox defeated the Twins 7-4 in front of 28,140.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Trent Harris, Carson Seymour and Ryan Walker combined for four scoreless innings of relief.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of relief
Noun
  • And the who, what and why of the vengeful spirit is the narrative pull of the play — along with the tense anticipation of more revelations, suspicions and shocks.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Art represents beauty and self-expression, while healing reflects science and well-being across mind, body and spirit.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of spirit
Noun
  • The Japanese-French-language drama premiered to an 11-minute standing ovation at Cannes and went on to win a Best Actress prize for both of its stars, Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • On Saturday, Pete received a standing ovation from members of the Navajo Nation who were in the stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
    — Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of ovation
Verb
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Head coach Willie Simmons praised his team’s athleticism and talent through fall camp, while emphasizing the X’s and O’s with the season opener approaching.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • The brand was quick to assure fans its other South Florida restaurants remained open in Miami Beach, Doral, Hollywood, Hallandale and Weston, and that plans to open a new location in Fort Lauderdale are still underway.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Dolly Parton‘s team is assuring fans of the beloved country icon that her legacy will continue throughout the countless projects that were already in motion before her death.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of assure

Phrases Containing cheer

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cheeps
cheer
cheered
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Cite this Entry

“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheer. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cheer

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cheer

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