GOOD-NATURED Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

good-natured

adjective

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd

Definition of good-natured next

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 The script swiftly navigates what could be sensitive waters, finding good-natured humor in the inflection points of Jewish and gentile relations without ever being disparaging. —

Erin Strecker, IndieWire, 23 Dec. 2024 But Pacquiao had style and substance and a swagger that was somewhat more confidently good-natured than cocky. —

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024 The uncles got a kick out of me and were more than good-natured with me. —

Drew Carberry, Baltimore Sun, 22 Dec. 2024 The action is passable, the mythology is generic, and the post-credits scene is overly optimistic about the prospects for a sequel, but there’s a good-natured sense of wonder that ties it all together. —

Josh Bell, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for good-natured

Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-natured

Adjective

The outward-facing woman was self-effacing and gracious and vivacious, a compassionate listener.

Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Your guests will likely be too gracious and too full of delicious things to even notice if a rogue dust bunny tried to crash the holiday.

Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024