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

Relevance

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 The country is mired in a war with Iran with no graceful exit opportunities; a new round of tariffs threatens to further disrupt fragile global trade relations; and the domestic economy faces inflation combined with paltry growth. — Zachary Karabell, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026 For anyone building toward a finer piece, a moissanite tennis necklace offers a graceful starting point. — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The rhyme between her graceful form and the sculpture’s anatomy underscores the clip’s unmistakably erotic frisson. — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Now, Adams will hope that further testing can be graceful in terms of recovery despite non-contact knee injuries usually meaning the worst for athletes. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 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
  • From there, leaders can direct their teams to create stronger connections that will make the organization more cohesive, responsive, agile and resilient.
    — Liz Guthridge, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Our opportunity is to combine these digital capabilities with our apparel expertise to create a faster, more agile and data-driven product development ecosystem for our customers.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of agile
Adjective
  • Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Upsides AccordionItemContainerButton Downsides Instead of constantly kicking that pile of shoes to the side by your entryway, give them an elegant home with this tilt-out storage cabinet.
    — Lauren Arzbaecher, Architectural Digest, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The New York Times recently showcased 41 of the greatest Mexican restaurants across the country, from taco trucks to elegant eateries with tasting menus.
    — Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Ko ensured the recipe’s instructions in this book were as pristine and legible as Vongerichten’s cooking is nimble and gleaming.
    — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 9 Sep. 2026
  • All that together should result in nimble handling, and responsive performance to boot.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of nimble
Adjective
  • McDavid’s isolated stats show his line surrendered more goals but still delivered a handsome 54 percent share.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The kitchen comes equipped with modern appliances, cookware, and handsome ceramic grocery from Indonesia.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of handsome
Adjective
  • Director John Woo brings a balletic style that exudes confidence and flair, particularly in the stunning one-take hospital shootout sequence.
    — Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
  • Italy was leading 1–0 when, in the 78th minute, Baggio exchanged passes with teammate Giuseppe Giannini, drifted through Czechoslovakia’s defense with balletic control, and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
    — Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 June 2026
Definition of balletic
Adjective
  • Crafted from the finest, lightest tweed, the dress—chosen by stylist Ramona Tabita—features a sumptuous knotted structure that opens into a generous back neckline and culminates in a majestic train that skims the red carpet.
    — Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
  • She’s played with a darkly enigmatic, unnerving quality by James in her finest work to date — a knowing, even domineering smile often curling around her lips.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 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
  • Two engaged couples posed for wedding photos in between joggers, dog walkers and sightseers who clamored around Osprey Street to enjoy the day’s majestic sunset.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Crafted from the finest, lightest tweed, the dress—chosen by stylist Ramona Tabita—features a sumptuous knotted structure that opens into a generous back neckline and culminates in a majestic train that skims the red carpet.
    — Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of majestic

Browse Nearby Words

graced
graceful
gracefulness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graceful. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All