grace 1 of 2

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

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
Ending a relationship with courtesy and grace requires sustained eye contact, on-the-spot explanation, and a general willingness to sit there while someone asks hard questions, gets hurt, and shows pain—things many people would rather avoid. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 18 Mar. 2026 The Moon is floating into your pensive sign, empowering your identity with lunar grace. Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
But audiences won’t have to wait long for some of this year’s acting-Oscar nominees and winners to grace their screens again. Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 16 Mar. 2026 Each hotel that graces the chain of islands feels like it's been designed to ensure that travelers' expectations of a restorative vacation are met. Teaghan Skulszki, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace
Noun
  • The radiant Sun conjoins fanciful Neptune in your 7th House of Interdependence, adding extra kindness to your imagination, so boundaries and bonds can both feel easier and more creative.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Mar. 2026
  • And love is sacrifice, service, kindness, and grace.
    Faith Salie, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • After the opening of their downtown Bleecker Street location, this move uptown feels like a natural evolution—bridging easygoing California elegance with a sense of East Coast prim and polish.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Nothing says easy elegance quite like a French manicure.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Illinois, which had a huge height advantage, held VCU to 35% shooting and outrebounded the Rams 45-29.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Oklahoma used a 7-0 run late in the first quarter for a double-digit advantage and then outscored Idaho 30-16 in the second quarter for a 57-35 lead at the half.
    Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The melodic closer had the huge crowd energized and swaying along, as the nearly 50-foot stage, fully adorned in LED lights, beamed hypnotic celestial imagery in neon blue.
    Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Mar. 2026
  • For her grand debut, Princess Caroline's eldest daughter chose a Chanel dress in white and adorned with feathers, establishing a link with her mother's favorite maison.
    Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Things got so bad for NFL players against Team USA that FOX broadcasters Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen openly wondered if there was a mercy rule in flag football.
    Jim Reineking, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Even so, there’s a mercy in the omission.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • After a busy afternoon visiting with the prime minister of Canada, his majesty jumped behind the decks to try his hand at spinning music at a Kings Trust event in Manchester.
    Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Come for the gothic majesty, stay for Elordi’s stunning and emotive performance as the Creature tries to be human in an inhuman world.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The new Washington law restricts facial coverings for all federal, state and local law enforcement officers -- a key distinction intended to avoid claims of discrimination against federal officials.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Mar. 2026
  • This distinction is rather simple.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The bright, cheery room, decorated with technicolor serapes and paintings of idyllic tropical-village scenes, felt almost like a taunt.
    Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Women’s short shorts are decorated with Smiley laser prints, while men’s Loose Jean Shorts and a matching button-down shirt feature a psychedelic Smiley laser design.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grace. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.

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