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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genial
The genial political comedy Heads of State, with Idris Elba and John Cena, had owned the Amazon Prime screen for a month when War showed up, as something both different, and familiar enough with that name and those stars.
—
David Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
The team reached a crossroads last August, when Dipoto fired manager Scott Servais amid a summer slide and replaced him with Dan Wilson, a genial former catcher in the team’s Hall of Fame.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
While the weekly show the Kansas City tight end co-hosts with his retired NFL sibling Jason Kelce regularly gets anywhere from 12,000 to nearly 300,000 views on YouTube for their genial sports talk, the figures for Swift’s pop-in are already, predictably, off the charts.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
The staff is almost entirely local, including K Club veteran Alexander de Souza, a genial presence with a jaunty earring who’ll whip up a lethal rum punch for a sundowner, and another staffer who brings a fruit plate every morning at breakfast.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
David Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
The team reached a crossroads last August, when Dipoto fired manager Scott Servais amid a summer slide and replaced him with Dan Wilson, a genial former catcher in the team’s Hall of Fame.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
While the weekly show the Kansas City tight end co-hosts with his retired NFL sibling Jason Kelce regularly gets anywhere from 12,000 to nearly 300,000 views on YouTube for their genial sports talk, the figures for Swift’s pop-in are already, predictably, off the charts.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Aug. 2025
The staff is almost entirely local, including K Club veteran Alexander de Souza, a genial presence with a jaunty earring who’ll whip up a lethal rum punch for a sundowner, and another staffer who brings a fruit plate every morning at breakfast.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
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How selfish of Fred Warner, goodness gracious.—
Michael Nowels,
Mercury News,
20 Oct. 2025
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That was a constant refrain in the life of this gracious philanthropist from Roslindale.—
Joe Dwinell,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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My face was cold by the end, but my body was totally warm.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
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Serve them warm, straight from the oven, with a drizzle of maple glaze and a hot cup of coffee.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
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Owner and innkeeper John Lavin took over the three-story home, built in 1890, in 2021, and the property continues to charm guests with its creative design, hospitable amenities, and home-away-from-home atmosphere.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The crop thrives in temperate climates across countries such as China, Spain, Turkey, Mexico and the United States, with peak season running from mid-summer through early fall.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
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They are found all over the world, mostly in subtropical and temperate regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Outlook used to be complex and unfriendly, but Microsoft has replaced it with a far sleeker and faster version, which is surprisingly pleasant to work with.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
18 Oct. 2025
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The home at 4573 Greenview Drive unfolds across 4,523 square feet with four en suite bedrooms and pleasant surprises around every corner.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In warm weather that means competitive golf tournaments, friendly tennis clinics, outdoor summer concerts, and a calendar full of signature community events.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
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Wear them with a simple long-sleeve top or T-shirt for a casual look, or add a blazer and heels for an office-friendly outfit.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their gentle warm-up then transitions into a dynamic aerial exercise, where both robots lift their legs into the air and perform a twist.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
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Union also shared a video, shot by Wade, where her father reacts to gentle teasing from his son-in-law.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This one, for example, has fun detailing on the sleeves and a nice roomy fit that looks as comfortable as a sweatshirt.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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Bills come due, eventually, in every sense, though reported name, image and likeness earnings nearing $2 million at Utah are a nice buffer.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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