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For
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a happy ending
a pleasant ending
a positive ending
a cheerful ending
a hopeful ending
a joyful ending
a happy birthday
a joyous birthday
a merry birthday
a joyful birthday
a great birthday
a special birthday
a happy marriage
a good marriage
a successful marriage
a great marriage
a wonderful marriage
a joyous marriage
happy memories
special memories
positive memories
pleasing memories
pleasant memories
cheerful memories
a happy face
a cheerful face
an elated face
a pleased face
a delighted face
an ecstatic face

Synonym Chooser

How is the word happy different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of happy are fortunate, lucky, and providential. While all these words mean "meeting with unforeseen success," happy combines the implications of lucky and fortunate with stress on being blessed.

a series of happy accidents

Where would fortunate be a reasonable alternative to happy?

In some situations, the words fortunate and happy are roughly equivalent. However, fortunate suggests being rewarded beyond one's deserts.

fortunate in my investments

When might lucky be a better fit than happy?

The meanings of lucky and happy largely overlap; however, lucky stresses the agency of chance in bringing about a favorable result.

won because of a lucky bounce

When could providential be used to replace happy?

While in some cases nearly identical to happy, providential more definitely implies the help or intervention of a higher power.

a providential change in the weather

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 happy This plant is especially happy when growing in a hanging basket so that its stems can drape over the sides. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 28 May 2025 But her boyfriend wasn't happy with that arrangement, either. Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 May 2025 Buck, too, is looking for a new place, while Eddie is happy to see his son thriving with friends in Los Angeles. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 May 2025 People are generally happy to see you and talk with you, regardless of any differences. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for happy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for happy
Adjective
  • While feeling fortunate to build the foundation of a new WNBA franchise, Thornton was stripped of the opportunity to defend the Liberty’s title, which was the first in franchise history.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
  • In many ways, the Padres are fortunate that their season has not gone off the rails.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The relatively easy preservation method – and the brothers’ fundraising efforts to obtain the necessary supplies – delighted village elders.
    John Okot, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025
  • The reunion has gained over 5 million views on TikTok as people delighted in seeing the pair reunited, and now four years later their antics are shared across their own TikTok and Instagram accounts.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, will anyone be satisfied with this retelling?
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 28 May 2025
  • Sure enough, Stephanie whips around with a satisfied smile.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Before then, a lucky lottery ticket holder in Illinois took home a $344 million jackpot on March 25, while another lucky person hit the Mega Millions jackpot on Jan. 17 for $113 million.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Ramsay recently revealed that more than 500 of the lucky beckoning cats have been stolen from the restaurant — at a total cost of more than 2,000 pounds.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • Time for Thorough Searches: Interim appointments allow boards the necessary time to conduct comprehensive searches for suitable permanent leaders.
    Solange Charas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • This work will reveal insights about the quasi-moon and help the team select a suitable sampling site.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • TikTok viewers instantly became obsessed with a Ring doorbell camera perfectly capturing a delivery driver's reaction after spotting dogs sitting at the front door.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025
  • The Phineas and Ferb star previously revealed that her older daughter has become obsessed with her High School Musical character in a TikTok shared earlier this month.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • If your submission is selected for inclusion in the NPR News Quiz, you will be acknowledged in a list of contributors on NPR's website or otherwise receive appropriate credit, but failure to do so shall not be deemed a breach of your rights.
    Holly J. Morris, NPR, 30 May 2025
  • The suit seeks compensatory and general damages and special and/or punitive damages, costs associated with filing the lawsuit and other damages deemed appropriate by the court.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • However, because the pool was shallow, Lisberg was less worried.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • There are signs that some in Israel are worried about the consequences of its actions in Gaza.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Happy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/happy. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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