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 And Asher DeLand will recur as Victor Suffredes, a tough but good-natured kid with a troubled past. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 23 June 2026 Despite the intensity of the celebrations, fans say the atmosphere remains good-natured. Bri Buckley, CBS News, 23 June 2026 Van Sant continues to snap away on his Leica, gives her his calm, good-natured smile, and tells her not to worry about it. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026 The conversation had the recognizable rhythm of sports fans’ mixture of banter and good-natured ribbing. Dan Greene, New Yorker, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for good-natured
Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-natured
Adjective
  • Be open and gracious to comments on how to handle the situation differently in the future.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • For a day, the WNBA chose normal, and good gracious, what a relief.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • Once the trailer made its way on TikTok, women flooded the comment sections in pleasant confusion, and their reactions did not disappoint.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The briny, slightly sweet and smoky ham notes in these slices make for an enjoyable, pleasant bite — for those who love ham.
    Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Her parents were able to buy a nice home in the Seattle area for $300,000 and still afford different extracurricular activities for her and her siblings.
    Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The puffiness that may come with a little late-night partying when the weather is nice is no match for this serum's ability to de-puff eye bags.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • For a second, Fauci almost seemed to laugh, and there was a glimpse of the public-health official who had charmed much of the country during the pandemic, with his air of amiable competence.
    Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Matt Lucas and Marina Prior’s Thénardiers are boisterous and charming — more amiable sleazes than menacing scumbags, if that tracks.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Adjective
  • That’s just about $7 under budget for a four-person, sweet treat excursion.
    Hali Smith August 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2026
  • This alone is a strong choice—agricole rhum tastes like grass and olives and earth instead of the sweet soft tropicality of classic rum—and if this were all, the resulting cocktail would still be a bold departure from the classic.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 2026.

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