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Synonym Chooser

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

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

a genial companion with a ready quip

When is it sensible to use affable instead of genial?

The words affable and genial can be used in similar contexts, but affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

When can cordial be used instead of genial?

The meanings of cordial and genial largely overlap; however, cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

When would gracious be a good substitute for genial?

While the synonyms gracious and genial are close in meaning, gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

Where would sociable be a reasonable alternative to genial?

The synonyms sociable and genial are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 genial George Wendt, the actor known for playing the genial, beer-guzzling barfly Norm Peterson on all 11 seasons of the classic sitcom Cheers, died Tuesday at 76. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 20 May 2025 In the aftermath of Radford’s breakthrough, OpenAI’s leadership—especially the genial Altman and his co-founder and chief scientist, the faintly shamanistic Ilya Sutskever—made a series of pivotal decisions. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 19 May 2025 The moment came after Obama, Biden and late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel had a friendly conversation onstage where the president fielded genial questions from his predecessor and the comedian that highlighted his political and legislative achievements. Anna Commander sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 This bit of cautiously positive news came just after this board met with the genial Midwest consul general of China, Wang Baodong, and some of his staff and had a wide-ranging discussion, including on the tense state of affairs between the two countries, one these diplomats bemoan. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
  • To their credit, the Heat have been gracious in their credit to the Panthers.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2025
  • The food was unfussy and full-flavored, the service gracious, and the staff — from the spa therapists to the bakers — seemed genuinely happy to be here.
    Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • In Alaska, warm and dry conditions coupled with frequent thunderstorms and lightning have resulted in more than 100 fires since Wednesday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • Concrete and asphalt radiate heat absorbed during the day, making urban areas typically several degrees warmer than rural areas, the weather service said.
    Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • Iranians are extremely friendly, warm and hospitable and enjoy nothing more than inviting guests into their homes for a meal.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • Its people have always been open to the world and constantly reshaped by it, unfailingly hospitable and ready to adapt.
    Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
  • Best Time to Visit Locals know the fall and winter tend to be the best times to visit St. George Island for temperate weather, smaller crowds, and lower humidity.
    Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Using a real-life incarceration facility near Geelong in Victoria that had just opened (but wasn’t populated yet), Williams has a setting that’s sunny and modern, not inherently depressing if not exactly pleasant, either.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • The most pleasant surprise to me was Ohio’s Matt Ponatoski, ranked as the No. 29 QB by 247Sports.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • A week filled with fun videos of puppies trying to master the stairs and a friendly doggy neighbor making his rounds brightened our social media timelines, but a few of our readers' pet videos and pictures stood out.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
  • This is a guide that is both a friendly flower refresher course for the veteran gardener and a wonderful introduction to flowers for the novice.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Through its busy streets, the Ford Ranger PHEV emitted a gentle hum at low speeds and easily handled deep road ruts and drain covers with little fuss.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Don't boil for too long: Keep the liquid at a gentle simmer, and cook the ribs just until tenderized.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, nice to get an explanation for why Vondrousova has been invisible.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • Other names that would be nice to see in the mix are Jon Hamm for Your Friends & Neighbors and Melanie Lynskey for Yellowjackets.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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