Synonyms of grace

grace 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrās 

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

• kindness
• mercy
• privilege
• service
• indulgence
• courtesy
• blessing
• benevolence
• favor
• benefit
• turn
• advantage
• waiver
• boon
• dispensation
• liberty
• license
• manna
• godsend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interference
• obstacle
• impediment
• hindrance
• hurdle

2

as in elegance

dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style

a beautiful actress who was the epitome of grace during her too-brief career

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elegance
• majesty
• elegancy
• gracefulness
• refinement
• brilliance
• simplicity
• courtliness
• nobility
• handsomeness
• stateliness
• fineness
• dignity
• glory
• classiness
• richness
• magnificence
• grandeur
• opulence
• luxury
• nobleness
• splendor
• luxuriance
• tastefulness
• lavishness
• luxuriousness
• taste
• sophistication
• class
• sumptuousness
• resplendence
• artfulness
• ornateness
• restraint
• grandness
• gloriousness
• classicism
• chic
• exquisiteness
• polish
• plushness
• resplendency
• plushiness
• grandiosity
• ostentation
• showiness
• augustness
• ostentatiousness
• affectedness
• choiceness
• pretentiousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• vulgarity
• flamboyance
• gracelessness
• coarseness
• kitsch
• inelegance
• glitz
• crudeness
• grotesqueness
• grotesquerie
• gaudiness
• tawdriness
• tastelessness
• garishness
• flashiness

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

• advantage
• distinction
• virtue
• value
• merit
• excellence
• excellency
• cardinal virtue
• superiority
• edge
• plus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deficiency
• failing
• defect
• fault
• flaw
• demerit
• blemish
• disvalue
• drawback
• minus
• negative

grace

2 of 2

verb

as in to adorn

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming

I hope that you will grace our gathering with your presence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adorn
• decorate
• drape
• ornament
• dress
• enrich
• beautify
• garnish
• trim
• deck
• paint
• embellish
• pretty (up)
• array
• blazon
• festoon
• bedizen
• bedeck
• do
• doll up
• emblaze
• trap
• emboss
• fancy up
• fancify
• gussy up
• glitz (up)
• brighten
• caparison
• accessorize
• trick (out)
• ribbon
• freshen
• garland
• spruce (up)
• chase
• dress up
• braid
• hang
• do up
• embroider
• gild
• diamond
• figure
• boss
• pearl
• gem
• fillet
• swag
• smarten
• filigree
• wreathe
• fringe
• lace
• feather
• jewel
• flounce
• frill
• furbelow
• redo
• impearl
• appliqué
• redecorate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• scar
• mar
• simplify
• display
• spoil
• disfigure
• reveal
• streamline
• deface
• blemish
• bare
• expose
• strip
• dismantle
• uncover
• divest
• denude
• uglify

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

Recent Examples of grace

Noun

Cymbeline, The Tempest, and perhaps most of all The Winter’s Tale turn on questions of grace and redemption. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026

The host then praises the coach's honesty and the panel's grace. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

Adam gets off on being asphyxiated, while Ingeborg has hypersensitive fingertips to the extent of them effectively being her erogenous zone; gracing her hands against the fabric that’s wrapped her lover during his orgasm seems to set off her own. — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026

Debbie Reynolds graced Rugrats with her presence for two years, voicing Grandpa Lou’s second wife, Lulu, from 2000 to 2002. — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing grace

• coup de grace
• fall from grace