CHEERFUL Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

cheerful

adjective

ˈchir-fəl

Definition of cheerful

as in bright

having or showing a good mood or disposition a cheerful person who is always fun to work with and a pleasure to be around

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cheery

serving to lift one's spirits a hospital with sunny, cheerful rooms that are designed to make a patient's stay as pleasant as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cheerful Medora sometimes feels like a strange, cheerful dream about America. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 Their blue, pink, and purple flowers are a cheerful and reliable perennial that seems to quickly sprout out of nothing but bare sticks in spring. — Heather Bien, The Spruce, 17 Aug. 2026 Perhaps a more cheerful outlet for such fears is to become more frequent farmers market shoppers before the season ends. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 But for Miller, creating a cheerful classroom isn’t about filling every available space. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheerful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheerful

Adjective

Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of bright

Adjective

As the attractive secretary, she is forced to fend off not only Hart’s advances (with the cheery but firm dexterity of a woman with no alternative and many years of practice) but also the chilly scorn of her female colleagues.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
From the 3-by-3 level select screen to the cheery, synth soundtrack, this Mega Man game looks and sounds just like a Mega Man game.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheery

Adjective

Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
The 192-mile electric figure is reported as CLTC, which is China's relatively optimistic test cycle.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of optimistic

Adjective

In recent years, the Golden State has become a major hub for millennial homebuyers seeking sunny weather, career opportunities and a higher quality of life.

— Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 25 Aug. 2026
To attract them to your garden, Biggs recommends avoiding pesticides and building fishless ponds and sunny areas with perches.

— Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of sunny

Adjective

Hair-loss drugs are likely to remain out-of-pocket expenses for consumers, but many in the industry remain upbeat on future sales.

— Avalon Pernell, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
But Buddy, the feature debut of Casper Kelly, lets the genre’s relentlessly upbeat tone slowly curdle in the opening sequence, in which one of the kids refuses to play along with day’s lesson about being brave and trying new things.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of upbeat

Adjective

Women in black hijabs and abayas, many wearing badges depicting Zahra’s smiling face, lined the streets as men prayed over her casket, placed outside the Husseiniya, a Shiite hall.

— Rania Abouzeid, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
As Thomas’ parents, Katina Smith and Bobby Thomas, unveiled their son’s smiling statue in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza last Sunday, as scores of his former teammates looked on in sadness and joy, Miller was 800 miles away in Dallas, gearing up for a game against the Cowboys.

— Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025

Definition of smiling

Adjective

But for all of his music guaranteed to prod a melancholic moment, Taylor didn’t snub the buoyant offerings from his heady catalog.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Bright synths, electronic drums and an enormous chorus give the track its rush, while Justin Bieber’s melodic delivery keeps it light and buoyant.

— Brittney Williams, Billboard, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of buoyant

Browse Nearby Words

cheered (up)

cheerful

cheerfully

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“Cheerful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheerful. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheerful

adjective

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