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 Plus, the movie is simply too goofy and good-natured for any of its feminist agitation to land. Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026 The twins credit their success to their strong support of each other, coupled with good-natured competition. Jason Getz, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Lynch was good-natured about his exit when speaking with HELLO! Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Feb. 2026 The comment made both Chalamet and Jenner laugh in the audience as the pair seemed good-natured about the barb. Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for good-natured
Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-natured
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Thursday night is going to be a nice little appetizer, so to speak.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • This is all in the first three paragraphs, and the breakdowns—a capacious category that, for Lemann, seems to encompass everything from rages to amiable fugues—do not let up.
    Brandy Jensen, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The rank bigotry of a neo-Nazi newsletter filters through folks like Sean’s parents and sister (a very funny Kate Berlant) — which is to say conservatives, but mostly amiable ones.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • But everything is silky and precise to the touch, and the sound astonishingly full and sweet in the small room, with the strain of an accordion coming in through the open window.
    Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The hotel is very family-friendly, and cots (complete with sweet Ambasciatori Palace teddy bears) can be placed in all rooms.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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