CHEERING Synonyms: 226 Similar and Opposite Words

cheering 1 of 3

adjective

as in encouraging

making one feel good inside the cheering sight of a child being reunited with a pet that had been lost

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in cheerful

serving to lift one's spirits cheering words from the doctor that the worst of the treatment was over

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cheering

2 of 3

noun

as in ovation

enthusiastic and usually public expression of approval a raucous cheering welcomed the newlyweds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cheering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of cheer

as in applauding

to declare enthusiastic approval of critics and fans alike have cheered the latest addition to the author's series of fantasy novels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reassuring

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

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 cheering

Noun

The crowd erupted, some cheering and others brought to tears, a collective wave of emotion rolling over us as the sky went dark. — Annissa Durar, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026 The kitchen men restarted their cheering as if someone in there was doing stage magic, and Uncle Jimmy leaned closer so he could be heard. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 In announcing his candidacy before a cheering crowd, Giannoulias invoked an image of Chicago as a city where hard work and sacrifice pay off. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Felix Anudike-Uzomah The Lee Summit’s and K-State graduate found his way into Chiefs fans’ hearts for his enthusiastic reaction to getting drafted by his hometown team and walking through the cheering crowd at the draft held in Kansas City. — Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 On an episode of Today with Jenna and Sheinelle, the broadcaster admitted that her over-the-top cheering got her into trouble. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 31 July 2026 Teammates Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez helped spread the banner wide before TV cameras and cheering fans. — ABC News, 31 July 2026 Please order her not to roll her eyes at my cheering and clapping. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Players were spirited, despite the heat, clapping, cheering and singing at the start of training session at Inter Miami Stadium (formerly Chase Stadium) in Fort Lauderdale. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026

Verb

From his home Turner could hear cheering from the team’s matches at the nearby Stamford Bridge stadium. — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026 Continue reading … OPINION LIZ PEEK – China is cheering as the left blocks America’s AI infrastructure. — FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 The crowd rose to greet a legend, some 13,000 fans cheering at the mere sight of a woman who had given them so much over the years. — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026 Now McCrumby and his basketball teammates are out there cheering him on. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 The legendary Carnegie Deli, one of the city’s most iconic delicatessen restaurants, is apparently returning to Midtown after a 10-year absence, with pastrami and corned beef fans cheering in anticipation. — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026 Her giggles kept interrupting the tune through much of her performance, and soon Pioneer Hall was laughing with her and cheering her through it. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 18 Aug. 2026 Miller said that one of his first memories as a young child was hearing his father cheering in the other room watching a Cowboys game. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026 But the fans have treated me so well here, and to hear people cheering for that is cool. — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheering

Adjective

While this figure appears to add a bright spot to an otherwise weak employment report, the underlying cause is far from encouraging.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
At safety, Chamarri Conner and Alohi Gilman are the starters, and Jaden Hicks has had an encouraging preseason.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of encouraging

Adjective

Beyond Ningyocho station, cheap and cheerful izakaya sit next to longstanding kaiseki and sushi restaurants in heritage buildings, remnants of the era when this was Yoshicho, one of Tokyo's geisha quarters.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
The fragrance is a delicious mix of sweet, fruity, and floral, thanks to notes of citrus, agave, and jasmine, offering a bright and cheerful scent to your space.

— Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheerful

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

Chelsea supporters at Craven Cottage responded by applauding Fernandez and singing his name.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Local officials posed around the giant baby blue ceremonial check, applauding as the mayor positioned it on an easel in view of the television cameras.

— Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of applauding

Adjective

Booze, black pepper, and leather accords give the note a sultry, noir bend, while white musks and soft florals transform vanilla into something comforting and cocooning.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
An improbable preparation that somehow manages to be immediately familiar and comforting, this cheeseburger fried rice is a little peek into all the fun going down at Agnes and Sherman in Houston, one of our Best New Restaurants of 2026.

— Nick Wong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of comforting

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

Noun

One of the more surreal responses to that experience is applause, which ripples through the audience of Paranormal Activity a beat after all the major scares, like rain settling in after a peal of thunder.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Yadkin board’s moratorium decision was met by applause from the packed room.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of applause

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cheering

adjective

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes