Definition of good-naturednext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word good-natured distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of good-natured are amiable, complaisant, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

Where would amiable be a reasonable alternative to good-natured?

The synonyms amiable and good-natured are sometimes interchangeable, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When could complaisant be used to replace good-natured?

The meanings of complaisant and good-natured largely overlap; however, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

When can obliging be used instead of good-natured?

The words obliging and good-natured can be used in similar contexts, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of good-natured Wood is one of the nicest and most good-natured people in the game, an affable and hugely likeable north-easterner with nothing of the mean and nasty traits supposedly inherent in fast bowlers. Paul Newman, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025 Spoofing slashers and their tired cliches with a new perspective, the comedy features Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine as good-natured hillbillies assumed to be backwoods psycho killers by a bunch of college students. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025 Steve Martin, who portrayed Keaton’s husband in 1991’s Father of the Bride and the sequel, paid tribute with a good-natured joke. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 Legette, who is almost always good-natured, seemed irked by some of the questions during his media availability Wednesday. Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for good-natured
Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-natured
Adjective
  • After the initial encounter, sending a brief email or text is both gracious and strategic.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • The suede upper is also a nice departure from classic leather on other styles.
    Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Monogramming linens and towels is always a nice touch.
    Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The move comes after Davis left his longtime perch at ComicBook in August 2024 after spending a decade building a reputation for his amiable, geek-friendly interviews that mixed journalism and fandom, and for co-hosting the Phase Zero podcast.
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Carruthers was by far the more amiable of the two, striving to seem tractable and reasonable while nevertheless lying flamboyantly.
    Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • In October 2024, Wasdin celebrated Ashmore's 45th birthday with a sweet post on Instagram.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The Pats trusted their tight ends to handle Dolphins edge defenders on several occasions, and Henry did the job; not to mention his team-high five catches and sweet one-handed grab in the second quarter.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Good-natured.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/good-natured. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on good-natured

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!