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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genial
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
Hundreds of shows and tens of thousands of hours have aired after primetime, offering a good hang and a genial laugh to ease us from waking worry into sleep.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
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
Hundreds of shows and tens of thousands of hours have aired after primetime, offering a good hang and a genial laugh to ease us from waking worry into sleep.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
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Penalties on penalties on penalties, gracious hosts, UCLA’s 13 flags Friday gifted the Lobos 116 yards – running the season’s tally to 30 penalties for 275 yards.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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Goodness gracious, what an adorable little burrito that kid is!—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While this is only slightly warmer than what is normal for mid-September for the Gulf Coast, this is 10 to 15 degrees warmer than what is normal for this time of the year for much of the Mississippi Valley -- including for parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Minnesota.—
Kyle Reiman,
ABC News,
13 Sep. 2025
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Great Britain’s winning performance from Friday’s four races, held in bright sunshine and warm gusty breeze, earned driver Dylan Fletcher and his team their second victory of the season.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As temperatures drop and outdoor conditions become less hospitable, pests start looking for warmth within our homes.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Sep. 2025
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The practice also offers a calm, welcoming environment where doctors have time to be hospitable, offering patients coffee and snacks.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There are simply many times more people in temperate and tropical countries who may want to go cool for their holidays, than people in the north who have hitherto wanted to heat up during their vacations.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Autumn in this subtly shifting terrain brings temperate days for adventuring and arts festival-hopping — and cool nights for stargazing and firepit lounging.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Room for two, a supple ride, a gorgeous view over a curved hood, perfect flow of air up and over the windshield and cockpit with virtually no backsplash to disrupt pleasant conversation, and the ability at any time to experience a rush of power and speed when the moment calls.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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Enfield is a pleasant, unremarkable suburb of north London.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The result is a set of policies that has baffled some China experts, or at least raised questions about the president’s stance on America’s friendly rival.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Twine also noted its subtle scent, quick absorption, and makeup-friendly finish.—
Brigitt Earley,
Glamour,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Make sure to choose the cool water setting and a low-spin or gentle wash cycle, and add in gentle laundry detergent according to the load size on your machine.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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More serious collectors may prefer waddling to the local Cars & Coffee with an earlier VW, recalling a kinder, gentler, and far slower-paced time than our present age.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
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Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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