Definition of gracenext
1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance in Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables, Jean Valjean's decision to go to jail for the man mistaken for him is a grace that goes beyond thanks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth as if taste were not enough, red wine has the added grace of being healthy for the heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grace

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grace differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grace are charity, clemency, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is charity a more appropriate choice than grace?

In some situations, the words charity and grace are roughly equivalent. However, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is it sensible to use clemency instead of grace?

While in some cases nearly identical to grace, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

In what contexts can leniency take the place of grace?

While the synonyms leniency and grace are close in meaning, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than grace?

The words mercy and grace can be used in similar contexts, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

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 grace
Noun
The women project grace and femininity, and their dresses are embellished with rows of colorful ribbons at the hem, so their twirling creates a kaleidoscope of color. — Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Marvel praised Stewart for bringing the character to life with grace, intelligence and humanity, leaving a lasting impression on generations of fans. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
Sir Patrick Stewart, the legendary actor who graced stage and screen for more than 60 years, from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to the deck of the USS Enterprise, died Wednesday at the age of 86. — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Oct. 2026 According to multiple outlets, Brady is allegedly dating Candice Swanepoel, another supermodel who once graced the Victoria’s Secret runway. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace
Noun
  • And where the kindness of others helped make his own remarkable journey here in America and the Fox Valley possible.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Tristan, teens going to Patriots game Word of their acts of kindness caught the attention of Michael Intoccia, who saw the story on WBZ-TV.
    — Paul Burton, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Yet Lee shows that the iron sense of control with which Brookner approached her own legacy runs through her fiction, too, creating the austere elegance that characterizes her prose.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Certainly not Polo Ralph Lauren, whose new Polo Blaze collection brings the elegance of the stables to city streets.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • For the night, Orlando held a 24-3 advantage in offensive rebounding, which led to extra scoring chances.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Obviously, Republicans engaged in this rare mid-decade redistricting in an attempt to try to gain political advantage in the House.
    — NBC news, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • For a comfy, layered look, try mixing and matching with this grosgrain-trim version or this stunning pick adorned with an embroidered Christmas tree.
    — Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Moroccan flags fluttered in schoolchildren’s hands, portraits of King Mohammed VI overlooked roundabouts and public squares, and the national coat of arms adorned major boulevards.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • The mouse, remembering the lion’s mercy, came to the rescue and gnawed through the ropes to set the lion free.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Davis' family pleaded with the judge for mercy on his behalf, acknowledging the severity of his actions while asking for leniency.
    — Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Take in the majesty of Victoria Falls, enjoy a safari stop at Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, and venture into Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park with expert guides to view the country’s famous mountain gorillas.
    — Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Thankfully, the lunar disk will set a few hours after midnight, leaving a window of beautifully dark sky before dawn in which to enjoy the full majesty of the annual meteor shower.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • And in another, the person who should have been named top scorer had that distinction taken and given to someone else.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Recognize Different Events Require Different Support A big part of the nuances of workplace expectations around personal circumstances is making finer distinctions between them.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Children can write, decorate and post letters to Father Christmas at the store’s festive post boxes, and a family weekend in December will feature arts and crafts, snow globe making, temporary tattoos and photo opportunities.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Any leftover pastry scraps can be gathered, rolled out again, and cut with cookie cutters, such as stars, to decorate the pie.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grace. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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