comeliness 1 of 2

Definition of comelinessnext

comely

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comely are beautiful, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of comely?

The words beautiful and comely can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

When would fair be a good substitute for comely?

Although the words fair and comely have much in common, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than comely?

In some situations, the words handsome and comely are roughly equivalent. However, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another, in the sense of comely?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

Where would pretty be a reasonable alternative to comely?

The meanings of pretty and comely largely overlap; however, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 comeliness
Adjective
Here is the story of a comely girl, a mulatto, Margaret Toogood, Maggy. Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 Instead, his big conversion comes later, after Rafael takes a fist to the face for dancing with a local tough guy’s comely fiancée. Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Aug. 2023 Connecticut-raised Troy’s debut novel, Floating, imagines a dinky, dusty town in Arizona where its comely protagonist, Ruby, falls in love with her husband’s estranged, cowboy brother. Hazlitt, 4 May 2022 Chin picks up a slide in comely tones of gray, brown, and off-white. Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for comeliness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comeliness
Noun
  • Jude and the cinematographer Marius Panduru shot the film on an iPhone, and the nimbleness and range of their outdoor setups summon forth images of a crisp, unshowy beauty.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The final episode looks at the science and savvy behind South Korea’s beauty industry and how the country came to set the agenda for cosmetics consumers around the world.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Matter—slim, dark-haired, attired in a dark blue zip-up sweater and matinee idol handsome—is a natural entertainer who savored every moment holding a mic.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The idea is that in a society that has allegedly become hostile to men—male privilege coded as toxic masculinity, and so on—the only way for boys to gain an edge is to be handsome.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Buddhavarapu has a price target of $6 per share and says the stock is too attractive to ignore at current prices.
    Michael Bloom, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Considering that this metal was priced over $100 in January, around the same time the price of gold was surging, today's price serves as an attractive, cost-effective opportunity to get started with the metal.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • These factors include the high price of gold before the war, the relative attractiveness of other low-risk assets and a mixed record of living up to its safe-haven status.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • South Park and North Park, not wealthy neighborhoods, gained in attractiveness and value over decades because working people bought old houses, fixed and maintained them.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • One is beautiful and famous the world over; the other is even more beautiful yet content not to have to put up with all the fuss and attention.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Mar. 2026
  • What happens when you are forced to choose between a beautiful, vulnerable tradition and your own self-actualization?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Here, though, lovely poetic imagery is scrambled with old and alternate timelines, sending the reverie in unanticipated and often comic directions.
    Hannah Gold, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • The foyer has a step-up entry from the front door, which feels elegant, and the living room is spacious with lovely touches in every direction — notice the built-ins with the arches that bookend the fireplace.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Marvin’s a cute little mushroom living in a cozy home beneath a mighty cedar tree.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Dry off and look cute at the same time with Katydid beach or gym towels.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Of course there’s familiarity with some of these people, but also there’s just this pretty bananas range of physicalities and looks and experience, literal experiences.
    Joe Lynch, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Specifically, Chris Miller voiced a desire to make Rocky’s language sound pretty.
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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