Which of the following can be considered a synonym for 'happy'?

The term 'joyful' is a direct synonym for 'happy' as both words express a similar emotional state characterized by feelings of pleasure, contentment, and positive well-being. When someone is joyful, they exhibit a high degree of happiness, often in a lively or exuberant way. This connection highlights the essence of both terms in describing a positive emotional experience.

In contrast, the other options convey very different emotional states. 'Sad' represents a feeling of sorrow or unhappiness, 'angry' signifies feelings of frustration or rage, and 'neutral' implies a lack of strong feelings either way, none of which align with the notion of being happy or joyful. Thus, 'joyful' stands out as the only fitting synonym among the choices provided.