grace 1 of 2

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

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
Amber Glenn has shown grace on and off the ice. The Sports Desk, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026 That’s especially powerful when millions, or even billions, of dollars are at stake, and when approval depends on staying in the government’s good graces. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Since then, the icon hasn’t stopped unleashing her inner diva, continuing to grace the stage with her signature curls and bold eyes. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026 The story is almost exactly identical (with a few adjustments), only with some fantastic songs and some of the best special effects ever to grace the Bass Hall stage. Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace
Noun
  • Seham Hassen was known for her kindness, faith and deep love for her family.
    Ubah Ali, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Luplow, 36, is one of four winners of the inaugural FECK Awards, a national program created by Chaz Ebert to recognize people who show exemplary forgiveness, empathy, compassion and kindness, or FECK.
    Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Long before American beauty became synonymous with department stores, celebrity founders and global conglomerates, Hudnut was exporting American elegance internationally.
    Sudhir Gupta, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Far from being a nostalgic nod, this trend resurrects the kind of practical elegance that characterized generations past.
    Alex Sales, Glamour, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Defending Houston Open champion Min Woo Lee and Michael Thorbjornsen are both at 12-under 198 through three rounds, meaning Woodland, at 18-under, has a 6-stroke advantage over the third-place golfers.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Led by McKenney and Gayle, the Wolverines (34-3) enjoyed a 33-6 advantage in bench points.
    CBS News, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The bandshell, seating 4,000, was adorned with minarets and the park and Biscayne Boulevard dressed with statues and Sphinx representations.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Later in the evening, the star switched things up, changing into a butter-yellow matching set adorned with sparkles and floral appliqués.
    Essence, Essence, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Things got so bad for NFL players against Team USA that FOX broadcasters Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen openly wondered if there was a mercy rule in flag football.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Even so, there’s a mercy in the omission.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • After a busy afternoon visiting with the prime minister of Canada, his majesty jumped behind the decks to try his hand at spinning music at a Kings Trust event in Manchester.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Come for the gothic majesty, stay for Elordi’s stunning and emotive performance as the Creature tries to be human in an inhuman world.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The market is full of vehicles that blur the line between a traditional e-bike and something closer to a motorcycle, and manufacturers don’t always make the distinction easy to spot.
    Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • This distinction was missing both from popular discourse, the academics felt, and from an influential definition of antisemitism associated with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which lists numerous examples of antisemitism related to criticism of Israel.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The bright, cheery room, decorated with technicolor serapes and paintings of idyllic tropical-village scenes, felt almost like a taunt.
    Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Women’s short shorts are decorated with Smiley laser prints, while men’s Loose Jean Shorts and a matching button-down shirt feature a psychedelic Smiley laser design.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grace. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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