Synonym Chooser

How is the word amiable distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of amiable are complaisant, good-natured, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When is complaisant a more appropriate choice than amiable?

The words complaisant and amiable can be used in similar contexts, but complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Where would good-natured be a reasonable alternative to amiable?

While the synonyms good-natured and amiable are close in meaning, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

When could obliging be used to replace amiable?

The synonyms obliging and amiable are sometimes interchangeable, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

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 amiable Thanks to amiable year-round weather apart from the heat, some choose to live part-time (or full-time) on their boats. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025 That would be Britain Covey, an amiable, 5-foot-8 wide receiver and punt returner who’s so diminutive that he’s been denied entry into players’ parking lots in the past and recently was mistaken for a member of the Rams’ front office. Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025 Unassuming, amiable attitudes were the overriding style of the evening. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025 The casting is incredible: Byrne is incandescent with pain and anger; Conan O’Brien plays her drolly deadpan therapist and colleague; and A$AP Rocky is her amiable neighbor and drug enabler at the hotel. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for amiable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiable
Adjective
  • Penalties on penalties on penalties, gracious hosts, UCLA’s 13 flags Friday gifted the Lobos 116 yards – running the season’s tally to 30 penalties for 275 yards.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Goodness gracious, what an adorable little burrito that kid is!
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Room for two, a supple ride, a gorgeous view over a curved hood, perfect flow of air up and over the windshield and cockpit with virtually no backsplash to disrupt pleasant conversation, and the ability at any time to experience a rush of power and speed when the moment calls.
    Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Enfield is a pleasant, unremarkable suburb of north London.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amiable. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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