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
Relevance
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
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
Despite the hearing’s overall genial tone, Isaacman did face some tough questions about his support for NASA’s climate science and agricultural data missions, which the Project Athena plan reportedly proposed outsourcing to academia.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 3 Dec. 2025
This genial doc-by-way-of-a-video-game may have been born out of the pandemic, which is what prompted out-of-work actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen to attempt a production of Hamlet staged entirely within Grand Theft Auto Online.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Carlos, the genial host and himself an ardent art lover, added a warm welcoming Miami touch of his own.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Despite the hearing’s overall genial tone, Isaacman did face some tough questions about his support for NASA’s climate science and agricultural data missions, which the Project Athena plan reportedly proposed outsourcing to academia.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 3 Dec. 2025
This genial doc-by-way-of-a-video-game may have been born out of the pandemic, which is what prompted out-of-work actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen to attempt a production of Hamlet staged entirely within Grand Theft Auto Online.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Carlos, the genial host and himself an ardent art lover, added a warm welcoming Miami touch of his own.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
-
Jeffrey and the girls were very gracious hosts.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Knight Acknowledged the Bond Between the Teams Even while addressing a situation that could easily breed division, Knight was gracious toward her male counterparts.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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A day later, both sides were outside during breaks enjoying an unseasonably warm mid-March day in Manhattan.—
Doug Feinberg,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Shawkat, with her warm, amused eyes and her mop of curls, is a perfect carrier for Mae’s air of abjection, flopping around her bed like a horny, gloomy Raggedy Ann.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
People who hear about HAARP today do so in an information environment that is extremely hospitable to paranoia.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Thus, the wrecking ball came for the Purple Passion Pit and the rest of the complex, a monument to a fading but wonderfully hospitable era of Chicago entertainment and local entrepreneurship.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The family live in the temperate coastal city of Newcastle, which is 1,200 miles south of Australia's crocodile habitat in the tropical north.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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With warm temperatures in the summer that remain temperate through the winter, there’s never a bad time to visit Biloxi.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The two kids were watching their parents text on their phones instead of socializing with each other and making pleasant conversation.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Chardonnay from Burgundy has a typical bouquet of wet river rock, crushed oyster shells, and sometimes a pleasant note of petrol that hits you before going deeper to assess the fruit aromas.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In other words, the sun may not have arrived in a life-friendly environment purely by chance, but rather as a consequence of the formation of the galactic bar.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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The seizure has angered Ukrainian authorities, who accused Hungary's Russia-friendly government of acting illegally.—
JUSTIN SPIKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This assortment includes the gentle yet effective Dynamic Resurfacing Peel Pads that deliver a measured dose of patented Tri-Enzyme Technology for smoother-looking skin.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
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Today hosts a gentle Moon-Chiron trine, empowering your friendly 11th house and your verbose 3rd house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While everyone was nice enough and ready to help when asked, the service is a bit more hands-off.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
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Each bonkers bit is a nice reminder not to take anything too seriously.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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