1
as in gracious
having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations
a genial host who makes a point of speaking personally to each and every guest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest
genial new neighbors who helped us unpack boxes and brought us dinner our first night in the new place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hospitable
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
his genial offer to give me his seat on the bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in temperate
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
wanted to move to a more genial clime for health reasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genial
In a country shackled and scarred by race, religion, gender, and class, much of that rationalized and reified by mainline American churches, the Disciples were genial revolutionists offering inclusion, education, and empowerment for those at the margins.
—
Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Two genial Hollywood stars enter a small town in Wales, boost the local soccer club and shepherd it to marvelous success.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
This show, which has a genial, populist score of entertaining and empowering numbers, is not really about that plot anyway.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
My one caveat on what is a highly entertaining and most genial evening of daffy, escapist Broadway, is that some of it feels a bit much, especially movement- and new orchestrations-wise.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Richard D. Mahoney, JSTOR Daily, 30 Apr. 2025
Two genial Hollywood stars enter a small town in Wales, boost the local soccer club and shepherd it to marvelous success.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
This show, which has a genial, populist score of entertaining and empowering numbers, is not really about that plot anyway.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2025
My one caveat on what is a highly entertaining and most genial evening of daffy, escapist Broadway, is that some of it feels a bit much, especially movement- and new orchestrations-wise.
—Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
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Perry was also quite gracious when another fan in the crowd handed her an album to sign.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
14 May 2025
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The building includes a 24-hour concierge and a gracious lobby with a residents’ lounge.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The finish is long and flavorful, evoking tropical themes of coconut water and warm beaches.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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But his presence now would have been a warm security blanket.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Those proteins—called effectors—attack specific targets that collectively disable the host's defense responses and make the host more hospitable for its bacterial conqueror.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
14 May 2025
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There must be a penalty until the campus is shown to be hospitable to Jewish students.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
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In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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But overall, this affordable bed frame offers a good mix of pleasant aesthetics and practical storage solutions.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
15 May 2025
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If busier weekends someday mean parking an extra block away, that will be a pleasant problem to solve.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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During public remarks in 2022, Justice Elena Kagan – one of the court’s three liberal justices − spoke out against sweeping injunctions and the ability of challengers to find one friendly judge to issue such an order.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
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Hussain has a friendly, reassuring presence, making the already-simple recipes even less intimidating.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Including Marcelo and his kid, all three of the film’s rival factions are father-son teams, a choice that highlights Filho’s gentle emphasis on the relationship between lineage and identity — and the defiant notion that history is as hard to erase as DNA.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
18 May 2025
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Après hike Just above the gentle, winding Fern Dell nature trail section of the park, with its cascading waterfalls, lies the outdoor coffee shop, The Trails.—
David Allan,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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However, a very nice man let us in, much to the chagrin of a lady who did not want to let us in.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
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But anyone hoping to hit the open road needs to know one thing: some drivers just aren't very nice, especially in certain states.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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