Definition of gracenext
1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance in Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables, Jean Valjean's decision to go to jail for the man mistaken for him is a grace that goes beyond thanks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth as if taste were not enough, red wine has the added grace of being healthy for the heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grace

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grace differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grace are charity, clemency, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is charity a more appropriate choice than grace?

In some situations, the words charity and grace are roughly equivalent. However, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is it sensible to use clemency instead of grace?

While in some cases nearly identical to grace, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

In what contexts can leniency take the place of grace?

While the synonyms leniency and grace are close in meaning, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than grace?

The words mercy and grace can be used in similar contexts, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

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 grace
Noun
Swanson argues Leonard deserves no grace after his demands led to bad trades and salary cap violation penalties. Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 This stretch of town affords you iconic views, and reminds you to carry yourself with a kind of poised grace. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
So goes the catchphrase for Varnell Hill (Tommy Davidson), the late-night talk show host who first graced our screens in Martin some 30-odd years ago. Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 Every brand wants to grace the shelves of a Sephora store because of the retailer’s reach and popularity across all ages, interests, and price points. Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace
Noun
  • Following her death, Eloise’s family established the Living for Lulu Foundation to continue her legacy by encouraging kindness and helping animals in need.
    Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • My mother, Cynthia, taught me to go through life with both relentless ambition and kindness.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The rooms Nestled on 20 acres of private woodlands, the eight-room inn carries a timeless elegance, with design features like stone patios, hidden gardens, and exposed 18th-century beams cutting through various rooms.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Federer, whose single-handed backhand is part of the reason he is viewed as the epitome of tennis elegance, has become an unofficial spokesperson for the shot.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Galatasaray squandered a 5-2 first-leg lead against Juventus in last season’s knockout play-off round, despite having a man advantage for most of the game.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Podded propulsion offers particular advantages in this environment.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The Star-Telegram watched filming from a distance and saw an all-black car with a camera adorned to its roof driving behind a black sedan and black SUV.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The delicate construction consisted of a high neck and long sleeves adorned with mauve silk bows at the wrists.
    Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Michael Douglas, in a letter to a federal judge who was considering sentencing his son Cameron on drug charges, pleaded for mercy in 2010.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • As violence spills into every corner of their lives, loyalties snap, safety proves temporary, and the battle for power leaves no room for mercy.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Renowned for the endangered, conservation craft of Japanning (lacquerwork), Riddell has always found inspiration in the natural world’s sublimely lethal majesty.
    Clare Coulson, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The stunning majesty of Florida’s wildlife, lands and culture is on display in a new show at Winter Garden’s SOBO Art Gallery.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That distinction matters because quantum communication demands extremely high efficiency.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • By defying those distinctions, terrorists reproduce the worst of nature’s rages.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Floor-to-ceiling glass walls let a lot of light into the space, which is decorated in tones of gray, with dark wood herring bone floors in the bar.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The cakes were mostly straightforward iced and decorated affairs, and were nothing that the man—or more likely the woman—in the street wouldn’t recognize as cake.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grace. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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