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 Urbanie Lucero’s choreography and movement direction maintain the production’s graceful poise. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 From curved pulls to squiggly handles, and even a style finished off with a metal tassel, these operate as graceful accessories to enhance old and new furnishings. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026 This means incorporating robust frameworks that prevent threats such as cyberattacks while facilitating rapid recovery and graceful degradation during system-wide failures. — Miroslav Katsarov, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 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 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
  • These qualities create a more agile workforce that’s ready to navigate change and seize new opportunities.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • But the frontier for this capability, many experts say, lies in RPOs by small, agile robotic satellites.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of agile
Adjective
  • The iconic Fifth Avenue landmark has been turned into luxury apartments—one of which has been given a local’s elegant touch.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Al Mubarak was an elegant, articulate embodiment of a project many saw as an extension of Abu Dhabi soft power as much as a sheikh’s personal investment.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • There was the Dolphins’ play of the day that ultimately wasn’t — a nimble escape from pressure and a dart to Chris Bell, who would have scored a 68-yard TD if one of his toes hadn’t grazed the sideline.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In her college days, Livia’s gift enlivens her nimble fingertips so that can take on the toughest of compositions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of nimble
Adjective
  • And Jeremy is the handsome cipher, the seemingly long-suffering dreamboat of a husband who may or may not be harboring more ominous intentions.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The perfect cup of coffee with Kevin Costner After reading prior interviews Costner had done with other outlets, one thing felt surprising given the actor's tendency toward the ruggedly handsome, cowboy archetype.
    — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of handsome
Adjective
  • Atwell displays a balletic athleticism while Hiddleston is all enthusiastic limbs and snake hips.
    — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of balletic
Adjective
  • Her finest moment, however, comes at the aforementioned weed seltzer party.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Cage has described Spider-Noir as a Roy Lichtenstein mash-up of fine-art film and mass-cultural television.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 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
  • Prepare to come within an arm’s reach of majestic elephants who silently mill through camp to say hello nearly every afternoon while grazing and seeking shade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There were handheld American flags on skinny sticks, midsize ones to display on a wall and majestic formal flags adorned with silky gold fringe.
    — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of majestic

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Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graceful. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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