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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cordial different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cordial are affable, genial, gracious, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

When could affable be used to replace cordial?

The synonyms affable and cordial are sometimes interchangeable, but affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

When is genial a more appropriate choice than cordial?

In some situations, the words genial and cordial are roughly equivalent. However, genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

a genial companion with a ready quip

In what contexts can gracious take the place of cordial?

The words gracious and cordial can be used in similar contexts, but gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

When is it sensible to use sociable instead of cordial?

While the synonyms sociable and cordial are close in meaning, sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

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 cordial
Adjective
The two have always seemed cordial in public, but that hasn’t stopped the reports, which seemed to kick up a notch after the President’s latest state visit. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2025 Trump and Macron have had a mixed relationship over the years, with the pair often appearing cordial at major events but disagreeing on policies around climate change and NATO. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
To wit, cordials, shrubs and kombuchas are all made in-house, inspired by seasonality. Brad Japhe, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 There was bad news for American whiskey, however, which was down by nearly two percent (more than $5 billion) and cordials (down 3.6 percent). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cordial
Adjective
  • The Nulu fabric is buttery-soft, sweat-wicking, and warm without overheating.
    Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • First, warm soil temperatures combined with moderate air temperatures in early autumn create ideal grass seed germination conditions.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Our recipe hails from Mary Ada Marshall, a resident of Smith Island, who was gracious enough to share her recipe.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
  • For example, Juliette Binoche was gracious enough to come this year.
    Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While both flavors share the same SPF actives and nourishing base, the Mint version delivers a refreshing, tingly finish from peppermint oil and menthol, while the Açai option leans sweeter with antioxidant-rich fruit extracts.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Born in the California beach enclave of Montecito, the Napoleon comes by its refreshing summer vibes honestly, even if it is made with a seemingly unsummery spirit.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In the late 19th century, traveling salesmen hawked concoctions of snake oil, uranium, or anything vaguely iridescent and passed it off as a youth tonic to unsuspecting customers.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The intense taste and smell can make this tonic hard to stomach.
    Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In response, Delaware last March passed a law to make the state more alluring, to which Texas quickly counter-punched with an even friendlier law.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The other side of this has been the money in the industry’s pivot first to cheaper talk shows, which don’t innovate enough to merit much critique, and now to a second pivot to turn those interview shows into video series, which makes podcasts more friendly on TikTok and Instagram and YouTube.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Deep in the Amish and Mennonite communities of Ohio and Indiana, the dessert menu at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, a hospitable chain of family-style restaurants, features a pecan pie of grand design.
    Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Vacherot triumphed 6-3, 6-4, to reach his first ATP final at tour level, moving one match away from capping one of the most extraordinary performances of the year, in the part of the season most hospitable to the unexpected.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • While administration officials have avoided overtly saying their goal is regime change — Trump has focused his public remarks on fighting drug cartels — the ultimate goal of democratizing Venezuela, and the resulting investment benefits, are front and center in investors’ minds.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • More generally, the objectives of AI are determined by those with social power, whether that is in the criminal justice system, in education, in medicine, or in the secret police forces of autocratic surveillance states.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Kimberly-Clark has been attempting to challenge the dominance of consumer goliath Procter & Gamble, whose business spans all drugstore aisles, including cold and digestion medicines.
    NPR, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cordial. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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