AFFABLY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

affably

adverb

Definition of affably

as in amiably

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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 affably And Rob Sand, the affably idiosyncratic state auditor who didn’t have a challenger, is officially up for governor. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026 Which means right about now, the island is buzzing with thousands of MAMILs (middle aged men in lycra) and affably amateur Brits are arriving by the planeload. — Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026 Folks in line on Day One enjoyed a daytime high of 77 degrees, sharing space affably. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026 The disgraced outgoing mayor of New York City is a big personality in a position of power with numerous scandals and gaffes for Fumudoh to prod at in her signature affably combative style. — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025 Breakfast that ranges from the familiar to the affably quirky. — Merrill Shindler, Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025 Before long, out of the jungle emerge elephants, affably swaying their trunks and dancing to his music. — Anthony R. Cannella, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025 Over the course of his monologue, O’Brien affably roasted himself for not having had enough work done, Karla Sofía Gascón for her many offensive tweets, and Timothée Chalamet for his baby face. — Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 3 Mar. 2025 The whole operation is manned by producer Cole Walliser, who affably directs A-listers through the rapid-fire shoots. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affably

Adverb

Maud Ogilvie smiled amiably at Flynn, as if waiting for a challenge.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
One recent evening, the horror director Oren Peli stopped by one such boozer, in an alleyway off the Strand, looked around amiably, and ordered a Coke.

— Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of amiably

Adverb

Part of what fueled the ups and downs was the sense that Paul Baker is genially open to whatever life might throw at him — a personality type engineered to drive the acting-out Issa and the neurotic Anton to distraction.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Waiting to address the group, Larson genially reminisced with a retiree, Joe Suggs, one of his opponents in 1998.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026

Definition of genially

Adverb

The character cheerfully insisted that Scotch whisky, the Garden of Eden, and most other worthwhile inventions had originated in his homeland.

— Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026
Moments after sitting down at an outdoor table, Oppenheim breathes in the ocean air and starts cheerfully free-associating.

— Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheerfully

Adverb

Your server, wearing a conductor’s hat, cheerily shakes them up in front of you.

— Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
In 2016, Brexiteers imagined that other European countries would follow their example and cheerily recover absolute sovereignty as liberated nation-states.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheerily

Adverb

Rodriguez, who is focused on his fragrance business, said good-naturedly.

— Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
Some of the best scenes are just Owen, Joe, and Terry sharing a meal at their favorite diner, talking openly—and good-naturedly busting each other’s chops—about whatever happens to be going on in their lives.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of good-naturedly

Adverb

The lovely, economic scenic design by Angela Balogh Calin graciously makes room for the play’s wall-to-wall witticisms, but the house is meant to symbolize the ship of state drifting dangerously toward the rocks.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
The development slate is incredibly impressive, and Jane has graciously offered to help with the transition.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of graciously

Adverb

Cushionaire Topcat Sneakers Continuing her suede streak, my mom sent me the link to these retro-feeling sneakers that would pair sweetly with anything from wide-leg jeans to a sundress.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 24 Oct. 2026
Rather, it was sweetly personalized and penned with love, signed by his Travis, 37, along with a sweet note written in the whites of the numbers printed on the front of the red shirt, as seen in an Instagram photo shared by New Heights.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sweetly

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“Affably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affably. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of affably

adverb

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