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
When anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois took over CBS Evening News last year, part of the network’s strategy was to imitate a local news format, with a genial cast of personalities reporting from the field.
—
Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
October Paddington Bear is the genial literary creation that has spawned a movie franchise, a West End stage play, and now, a bizarre legal tussle.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
While the entire band was a powerhouse, as lead singer Malo brought not only strong, soulful vocals that could veer between a Roy Orbison-esque baritone croon and country twang, but a genial humor that often manifested itself during the group’s concerts.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
As mayor of the global megalopolis, Mohan knows one of his chief duties is to communicate a genial unflappability rather than a slick charm.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
October Paddington Bear is the genial literary creation that has spawned a movie franchise, a West End stage play, and now, a bizarre legal tussle.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
While the entire band was a powerhouse, as lead singer Malo brought not only strong, soulful vocals that could veer between a Roy Orbison-esque baritone croon and country twang, but a genial humor that often manifested itself during the group’s concerts.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
As mayor of the global megalopolis, Mohan knows one of his chief duties is to communicate a genial unflappability rather than a slick charm.
—Belinda Luscombe, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
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Bruce Childress, Maydan Market’s director of restaurants, will swoop in with gracious suggestions across price points and tastes preferences.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Servers are warm and gracious, while bartenders like The Cove’s Mario will learn cocktail preferences in no time and offer suggestions based on mood and palate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sweet, savory, warm and dependable.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Philadelphia, with its Quaker tradition of religious tolerance, New York and Newport were particularly hospitable to Jewish people.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
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The city might be hospitable because humans have reduced the numbers of predators like rats and cats around restaurants and buildings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
With only a few exceptions, humans live primarily in temperate regions, but an eclectic array of other creatures thrive in the inhospitable.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Eventually, and probably soon, the max-maxxers will seem temperate in hindsight.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The band's courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan's first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The band’s courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan’s first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The moody Moon in your artistic 5th house and heavyweight Jupiter in your friendly 11th house are in opposition, pitting personal flair against community needs.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Made from extra-durable, knife-friendly material, each board resists moisture, supports hygiene, and stands up to daily wear.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In July 2023, Angus Cloud, who played the gentle drug dealer Fezco, died of an accidental overdose (toxicology reports revealed methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines in his system).—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
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Something as seemingly innocuous as a gentle tap on the skin signals specialized nerve cells to convert the physical force into an electrical signal to the brain.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some other teachers that maybe hadn’t been so polite to me or nice to me, all of a sudden became a little nicer.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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Thursday night is going to be a nice little appetizer, so to speak.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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