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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After the initial encounter, sending a brief email or text is both gracious and strategic.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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Our recipe hails from Mary Ada Marshall, a resident of Smith Island, who was gracious enough to share her recipe.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The National Weather Service recommends stocking essential items like non-perishable food, water and warm clothing for severe winter events.—
Diana Leyva,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Nov. 2025
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The lookalike duo flashed their identical warm smiles while attending the Mothers & Daughters 4 Choice event back in '94.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Repair bare spots in the lawn to make your yard less hospitable for ground-nesting bees.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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The public radio system was not especially hospitable to experimental work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This simple tank since it can be worn on its own to keep you temperate during toasty flights, and it’s made with the brand’s DreamKnit Fabric that results in an unbelievably soft finish.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Nov. 2025
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Research, however, has tended to focus on temperate lakesrather than those in the tropics, despite their huge vulnerability to intense warming.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, there's usually plenty of pleasant autumn days after the first frost to tackle the remaining fall gardening tasks at a more leisurely rate.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
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Today the Moon in your sign is dancing with fair Venus creating pleasant feelings between you and everyone else.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In response, Delaware last March passed a law to make the state more alluring, to which Texas quickly counter-punched with an even friendlier law.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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The other side of this has been the money in the industry’s pivot first to cheaper talk shows, which don’t innovate enough to merit much critique, and now to a second pivot to turn those interview shows into video series, which makes podcasts more friendly on TikTok and Instagram and YouTube.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This can support the aircraft’s weight, allowing a gentle descent with the wings level.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
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And so, shortly after his startling, spirit-lifting victory in the primary last spring, the gentle flood of inquiries commenced.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Ten-inch-tall elves, called Scout Elves, arrive in children's homes ahead of Christmas with a mission to relay children's behavior back to Santa Claus for his naughty and nice list.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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To those earning $50,000 a year at their regular jobs, making $5,000 in a few nights of netting was a nice bonus.—
Steve Waters,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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