1
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest
a cordial inquiry about her mother's health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gracious
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
a cordial hostess who makes sure everyone is comfortable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
he insisted that a cordial nip of brandy would be just the thing for someone suffering from shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tonic
Related Words
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
Pierre Lebrun,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
While a statement from the prime minister’s office attempted to portray the discussions as cordial, the council painted a different account of the encounter.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
The cordial is made with fresh dill, citrus, sugar and water, and then blended and strained before it’s eventually shaken with vodka, lemon juice and rich simple syrup.
—
Kevin Gray,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cordial
Adjective
There still are unknowns as far as what the roster will look like next season, but the conversations between Moldaver and new Leafs GM John Chayka have been cordial, and there’s some level of comfort there about how things are shaping up.
—
Pierre Lebrun,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
While a statement from the prime minister’s office attempted to portray the discussions as cordial, the council painted a different account of the encounter.
—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
And because Leonessa takes cues from Italy, expect a rotating menu of complimentary aperitivo-style snacks and a cocktail list full of spritzes, bitters, martinis, plus plenty of amari, vermouth, and cordials.
—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2025
The cordial is made with fresh dill, citrus, sugar and water, and then blended and strained before it’s eventually shaken with vodka, lemon juice and rich simple syrup.
—
Kevin Gray,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cordial
Adjective
-
This tank top maxi dress is a warm-weather staple.
-
El Niño isn't just moving warm water around randomly in the ocean.
Adjective
-
The axe came down swiftly and brutally, but, speaking candidly, Geoff Daniels, PBS’ Vice President, Programming & Development, was gracious about it, thanking the audience of mostly media industry people for their camaraderie.
-
The gracious — and perfectly acceptable — way is not to serve alcohol to anyone.
Adjective
-
The burst of tart lime pairs perfectly with the kick of jalapeño flavor for a refreshing drink that pairs perfectly with chips and salsa.
-
Our choice today is coconut hazelnut, a refreshing change of pace.
Noun
-
The vermouth’s herbal notes blend with the bitter tonic for a refreshing way to whet the palate before a meal.
-
In this brain-freeze-y adaptation of a G&T, the tonic water is substituted by a tonic syrup.
Adjective
-
The band had been denied the opportunity to perform during Haiti’s pre-World Cup friendly against Peru, despite the presence of a Peruvian band.
-
Founded in 2008, FunnyFlux is a Korean animation studio creating family-friendly IP for global audiences.
Adjective
-
Be hospitable to the people who think differently from you.
-
Native plants like native golden ragwort or switchgrass are not as hospitable.
Noun
-
Since the launch of LineShine, the supercomputer has been used for applications ranging from climate modeling and engineering simulations to drug discovery, neuroscience and AI, the center said.
-
Court documents say Blakemore was a prolific drug trafficker for the Highs street gang, selling fentanyl at the intersection of Broadway and Lyndale in north Minneapolis.
Noun
-
For Pontes, who spends his professional life treating breast cancer patients, the visits have offered a different vantage point on the practice of medicine.
-
Astragalus Astragalus is a flowering plant whose root is a popular treatment in traditional Chinese medicine.
Cite this Entry
“Cordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cordial. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
