Synonyms of good-natured

good-natured

adjective

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd 

as in gracious

having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations

the guests at the party were a good-natured bunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gracious
• pleasant
• nice
• amiable
• sweet
• affable
• friendly
• genial
• good-tempered
• cheerful
• agreeable
• clever
• delightful
• mellow
• polite
• kind
• attractive
• gentle
• well-disposed
• thoughtful
• benign
• civil
• amicable
• cordial
• enjoyable
• neighborly
• cheery
• courteous
• considerate
• sociable
• sunny
• likable
• companionable
• conversable
• glad
• amenable
• obliging
• accommodating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unpleasant
• disagreeable
• ungracious
• surly
• unkind
• unamiable
• boorish
• rude
• discourteous
• inconsiderate
• irascible
• irritable
• cantankerous
• unsociable
• uncivil
• impolite
• petulant
• unmannerly
• peevish
• grumpy
• snappish
• grouchy
• ill-natured
• cranky
• churlish
• ill-tempered
• dyspeptic
• touchy
• bilious
• ungenial
• choleric
• testy
• contrary
• fussy
• ornery
• crabby
• querulous
• contentious
• argumentative
• ill-mannered
• bearish
• unattractive
• ill-humored
• sour
• quick-tempered
• unappealing
• vinegary

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

Recent Examples of good-natured

Throughout the night, the two parties bantered and traded good-natured remarks. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

These folks are good-natured and well-intentioned, but don’t seem to have a clue as to how their conduct left us exhausted and feeling ignored. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting. — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Like any good anecdote, it feels healthily embellished — Borges was doubtless a character, but is fashioned on the page into a Character — in ways that director Marc Turtletaub‘s enjoyable, good-natured screen adaptation appears to build upon. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026