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Synonym Chooser

How is the word gracious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of gracious are affable, cordial, genial, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

When is it sensible to use affable instead of gracious?

Although the words affable and gracious have much in common, affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

Where would cordial be a reasonable alternative to gracious?

In some situations, the words cordial and gracious are roughly equivalent. However, cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

When might genial be a better fit than gracious?

The meanings of genial and gracious largely overlap; however, genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

a genial companion with a ready quip

When could sociable be used to replace gracious?

The synonyms sociable and gracious are sometimes interchangeable, but sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

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 gracious Everyone on set was so gracious and created such a safe space. Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 5 June 2025 Though the mill and its towering chimney are long gone, the house remains—gracious, elegant, and full of period charm. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 June 2025 Goodness gracious — headway has been made on some upcoming collaborations between Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, the director shared. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 May 2025 Service is thoughtful, never overbearing, and gracious given the otherwise glamorous location. Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for gracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gracious
Adjective
  • Iranians are extremely friendly, warm and hospitable and enjoy nothing more than inviting guests into their homes for a meal.
    Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 17 June 2025
  • Its people have always been open to the world and constantly reshaped by it, unfailingly hospitable and ready to adapt.
    Jeff Chu, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Using a real-life incarceration facility near Geelong in Victoria that had just opened (but wasn’t populated yet), Williams has a setting that’s sunny and modern, not inherently depressing if not exactly pleasant, either.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • The most pleasant surprise to me was Ohio’s Matt Ponatoski, ranked as the No. 29 QB by 247Sports.
    Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Padilla ordinarily is a very polite guy, extraordinary civil — calm, soft-spoken, the opposite of an aggressive loudmouth.
    George Skelton, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
  • Gentle readers often ask Miss Manners how to respond to questions put to them for which there does not appear to be any polite answer.
    Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • This friendly caller is helping seniors feel less lonely, The Wall Street Journal reports.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • This is a guide that is both a friendly flower refresher course for the veteran gardener and a wonderful introduction to flowers for the novice.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, nice to get an explanation for why Vondrousova has been invisible.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • The music is a successful part of the show, so artists want to be a part of it, which is nice.
    Clarissa Brooks, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Beneath the surface of its superlatives lies depth — thoughtful nods to heritage, reinterpretations of tradition and layers of cultural meaning embedded in contemporary forms.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • His career consists of multitudes: the comedic if not brash hip-hop radio host forged by the shock-jock era, and the thoughtful political commentator, able to articulate what even his critics would describe as a pretty nuanced perspective on the world.
    Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • The kindly people on the other end had probably not yet been born when I was raped.
    Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
  • Eventually, Billy tries to warn the foster care headquarters, managed by a kindly woman named Wendy (Sally-Anne Upton), that Laura is trying to sabotage Billy.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Bailey flashed a sweet jumper and impressive athleticism but struggled with his shot selection and had more turnovers than assists.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 26 June 2025
  • Instead, we were met with gray skies and rain, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying our sweet treats.
    Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gracious. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gracious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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