Synonyms of amiable

amiable

adjective

ˈā-mē-ə-bəl 

as in gracious

having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations

the owner of the inn is an amiable, talkative widow who treats guests like family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gracious
• pleasant
• nice
• sweet
• affable
• friendly
• agreeable
• good-natured
• genial
• cheerful
• delightful
• good-tempered
• attractive
• mellow
• clever
• polite
• well-disposed
• kind
• gentle
• thoughtful
• amicable
• benign
• cordial
• neighborly
• civil
• enjoyable
• courteous
• cheery
• sociable
• considerate
• sunny
• likable
• conversable
• companionable
• likeable
• amenable
• glad
• obliging
• accommodating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unpleasant
• disagreeable
• ungracious
• unamiable
• surly
• unkind
• boorish
• rude
• discourteous
• irascible
• irritable
• unsociable
• inconsiderate
• unmannerly
• cantankerous
• uncivil
• impolite
• petulant
• peevish
• ungenial
• grumpy
• snappish
• grouchy
• dyspeptic
• ill-natured
• bilious
• contrary
• churlish
• choleric
• cranky
• touchy
• ill-tempered
• testy
• fussy
• crabby
• querulous
• contentious
• ornery
• argumentative
• ill-mannered
• bearish
• unattractive
• ill-humored
• unappealing
• sour
• quick-tempered
• vinegary

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

Recent Examples of amiable

Sheridan saw it in 1883, when Marshal Jim Courtright turned from amiable lawman to stone killer in a barroom full of bad hombres. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 12 June 2025

In February 2021, David Zaslav, then the CEO of Discovery Inc., sent AT&T CEO John Stankey an amiable text. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2025

After years of a legal battle where both sides won key judgments, officials chalked up the apparently amiable end to new personalities at the top of each agency. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025

The performances were too amiable and not particularly satirical (much like the real-life Harris’s own appearance on the show). —Dave Itzkoff, New York Times, 19 May 2025

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