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graceful

adjective

ˈgrās-fəl How to pronounce graceful (audio)
Definition of gracefulnext
1
as in agile
moving easily the graceful ballerina effortlessly leapt across the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elegant
having or showing elegance sat down in the old plantation home's very graceful parlor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 graceful Ohio State might have college football’s finest talent with Jeremiah Smith, the graceful yet propulsive receiver atop The Athletic’s player rankings. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Bryan Singer’s ingenious thriller is both a graceful callback to ’50s potboilers and a savage modernization of them. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026 As with many of the academic cases, there are often no permanent consequences for Pretendians; they are either allowed to continue teaching or granted a graceful retirement. — Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 The driveway, lined with perennial beds, has a graceful curve on its way to a large circle that allows guests to park near the walkway to the front porch. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for graceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graceful
  1. agile
  2. elegant
  3. nimble
  4. handsome
  5. balletic
  6. fine
  7. gracile
  8. majestic
Adjective
  • Argonon was founded to create an independent platform for talent to be agile and brave, both creatively and commercially, and that enduring spirit is embedded in our culture today.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Swapping bulky eyes for agile whiskers makes autonomous search-and-rescue bots smaller, lighter, and smarter.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of agile
Adjective
  • The Art Nouveau interiors, featuring mosaics and furnishings designed by leading artists and artisans of the era, evoke an elegant and cosmopolitan Milan, while at the bar, the Campari seltzer remains the house specialty.
    — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Lee’s lines have the intimacy and metaphysical heft of prayer; their elegant recursions and repetitions call to mind the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • So Kelce reported to camp in terrific shape and looking svelte and nimble despite all the hoopla, especially around the wedding.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Because of the deliberately micro size, too, the team managing the Low can be nimble and respond both to community requests and wide releases in funny ways that Alamo and AMC can’t.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of nimble
Adjective
  • Yeti’s new Rambler Bowls are the outdoor-lover’s ideal, and an essential addition to any tailgate setup, offering the same double-wall vacuum insulation as the brand’s famous drinkware with secure lids and an handsome aesthetic.
    — Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The handsome wooden bench is crafted from solid poplar, features antique bronze hardware, and sports the soft and airy Seadrift finish, ideal for coastal, modern farmhouse, and contemporary dining rooms alike.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of handsome
Adjective
  • The combat scenes, frequently pitting Latif’s sharpened steel against more popular American weaponry, are staged with whirling verve, wit and, best of all, balletic coherence.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Grosgrain details and side seaming borrow from balletic pointe shoes.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of balletic
Adjective
  • These fossils preserve records of soft tissues and fine details normally lost.
    — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Green Bay was fine against the Vikings, at least for the first half of the game.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of fine
Adjective
  • Alvarezsaurs were predominantly small, with stubby but powerful forelimbs, long and gracile hindlimbs and lightly built skulls.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Hawkins misplaced horns and spikes, and some of his robust four-legged dinosaurs were actually gracile bipeds.
    — Yannic Rack, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
Definition of gracile
Adjective
  • Paddle across shimmering waters or cycle beneath majestic oaks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • For many travelers this majestic continent at the end of the Earth represents the ultimate journey.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of majestic

Browse Nearby Words

graced
graceful
gracefulness
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Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graceful. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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