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
• cheerful
• genial
• good-tempered
• agreeable
• delightful
• clever
• mellow
• polite
• kind
• attractive
• gentle
• well-disposed
• thoughtful
• neighborly
• benign
• civil
• amicable
• cordial
• enjoyable
• cheery
• courteous
• considerate
• sociable
• sunny
• likable
• companionable
• conversable
• likeable
• 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

Johan has a horndog bar buddy who also works at the sauna, Asif (Dilan Amin), as well as good-natured Adonis owner Michael (Klaus Tange), who got him the job and a place to live. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025

My friends and family, who tended to house these errant books, generally handled the influx with a mix of good-natured exasperation and resignation. —Jack Barlow, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025

Now incarcerated, Corby struggles with the violence and brutality of prison but also finds a prison librarian, a good-natured cellmate and a troubled teen who give him something to fight for. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 June 2025

Despite Honnold’s good-natured sandbagging, Harrington confidently prioritizes her own needs and comfort on the wall. —Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 29 May 2025