merriness

Fiona turned out to be a good mimic, and for all her merriness, there was a cruel touch to her humor that Briony liked.

“It’ll do you some good,” he said over his shoulder, though the merriness faded from his tone.

She would imagine the air in Herat crackling with merriness, and high- spirited, bright-eyed people showering each other with endearments and goodwill.

Mr. Honeck’s take on the “Pastoral,” Beethoven’s Sixth, was warmer, creamier, smiling, the third movement’s merriness alert yet suave.

But for months, the long-awaited movie has sparked merriness among merchants and manufacturers — especially toy companies.