Antonyms for make merry

Grammar : Verb

Spell : mer-ee

Phonetic Transcription : ˈmɛr i

Definition of make merry

Origin : Old English myrge "pleasing, agreeable, pleasant, sweet; pleasantly, melodiously," from Proto-Germanic *murgijaz, which probably originally meant "short-lasting," (cf. Old High German murg "short," Gothic gamaurgjan "to shorten"), from PIE *mreghu- "short" (see brief (adj.)). The only exact cognate for meaning outside English was Middle Dutch mergelijc "joyful."
Connection to "pleasure" is likely via notion of "making time fly, that which makes the time seem to pass quickly" (cf. German Kurzweil "pastime," literally "a short time;" Old Norse skemta "to amuse, entertain, amuse oneself," from skamt, neuter of skammr "short"). There also was a verbal form in Old English, myrgan "be merry, rejoice." For vowel evolution, see bury (v.).
Bot vchon enle we wolde were fyf, þe mo þe myryer. [c.1300]
The word had much wider senses in Middle English, e.g. "pleasant-sounding" (of animal voices), "fine" (of weather), "handsome" (of dress), "pleasant-tasting" (of herbs). Merry-bout "an incident of sexual intercourse" was low slang from 1780. Merry-begot "illegitimate" (adj.), "bastard" (n.) is from 1785. Merrie England (now frequently satirical or ironic) is 14c. meri ingland, originally in a broader sense of "bountiful, prosperous." Merry Monday was a 16c. term for "the Monday before Shrove Tuesday" (Mardi Gras).

As in joke : verb kid, tease
As in play : verb have fun
As in rejoice : verb be very happy about something
As in revel : verb take pleasure; celebrate
As in romp : verb have fun, enjoy oneself
As in satisfy : verb please, content
As in wassail : verb celebrate, toast
As in celebrate : verb commemorate occasion, achievement
As in roister : verb revel
As in entertain : verb amuse
As in exult : verb be joyful
As in have a ball : verb have fun

Example sentences :

They were all to come in and make merry, he said, but the prince he took to his own house.
Extract from : « Cossack Fairy Tales and Folk Tales » by Anonymous

No, or she had not gathered Wimbledon about her to make merry the midnight hour.
Extract from : « Eventide » by Effie Afton

Hereupon they sat down and began to eat and drink and make merry.
Extract from : « The Life and Adventures of Baron Trenck » by Baron Trenck

Make merry who might, Aucassin had no taste for it; since he saw nothing there of that he loved.
Extract from : « Aucassin and Nicolette » by Anonymous

The spit must be turning, and we can make merry with you, heart and belly.
Extract from : « The Devil's Pool » by George Sand

Gamesters and lookers on alike smoke, drink, and make merry.
Extract from : « The Death Shot » by Mayne Reid

We will allow him to make merry at our next feast, eh, comrades?
Extract from : « The Pirate of the Mediterranean » by W.H.G. Kingston

A clubhouse is fitted up for the mill hands to make merry in.
Extract from : « Civics and Health » by William H. Allen

I would not allow him companions to make merry with, so as to make a pleasure of intoxication.
Extract from : « Peter Simple » by Frederick Marryat

I could dance and be merry too Arsinoe, dance and make merry with you like a madman!
Extract from : « The Emperor, Complete » by Georg Ebers

Synonyms for make merry

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019