1
as in hospitable
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
a gracious host who goes out of his way to make every guest feel welcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pleasant
having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations
a gracious innkeeper whose jokes and laughter made weary travelers feel right at home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in polite
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
he was a gracious man, habitually offering his seat on the bus to elderly women
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gracious
To her credit, Shiffrin was gracious in defeat.
—
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Shiffrin was predictably gracious in defeat — as rare as those defeats are.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Acclimating our senses was rooftop breakfast served by a gracious staff who introduced us to Armenian coffee — finely ground into a powder and brewed in a jazzve pot.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Next on the line is a woman who is more gracious to Kendrick, but didn’t seem to get the memo that the East Coast-West Coast rivalry ended decades ago.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gracious
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Shiffrin was predictably gracious in defeat — as rare as those defeats are.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Acclimating our senses was rooftop breakfast served by a gracious staff who introduced us to Armenian coffee — finely ground into a powder and brewed in a jazzve pot.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
Next on the line is a woman who is more gracious to Kendrick, but didn’t seem to get the memo that the East Coast-West Coast rivalry ended decades ago.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for gracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gracious
Adjective
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The shark had apparently found the most hospitable band within that stack and was tracking it along the seafloor.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
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For Muslims, many of whom eschew alcohol, and for anyone seeking liquor-free or family-friendly social options, the cafes are hospitable hangouts and a late-night alternative to nighttime clubbing.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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What might be a pleasant wine on the ground often loses nuance or becomes imbalanced in flight since the low cabin pressure tends to mute aromas.—
Karla Walsh,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
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Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is in full bloom, and water excursions like kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling are also especially pleasant at this time of year, even if the water’s a bit chilly, at least to natives.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Wisman was polite and articulate — a good kid, but also different.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
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Gentrified neighborhoods displace Black and brown communities just as aggressively as ICE does, although with a polite smile.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With the city facing multiple lawsuits over the billing debacle, Clark helped oversee a friendly class-action lawsuit against the city, the judge found.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Zero Waste Textile Expo is a free, family-friendly event designed to highlight the environmental impact of consuming fast fashion and soft consumer goods while providing education about sustainable solutions and zero waste options anyone can participate in.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Having a set time to do individual work has been nice.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
19 Feb. 2026
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While more attacking and midfield options are always nice, Orlando’s real problem lies in replacing key defenders who departed in the offseason.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Rooms can accommodate families with connecting layouts, and a thoughtful program for Little Stars includes boba tea-making classes, Hakka umbrella-painting workshops, and various Taiwanese cooking classes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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The most elaborate of these suites spanned the top floors of houses and were filled with thoughtful decorations and toys.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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After several years in theater, Duvall got his film break when he was cast as the kindly, misunderstood outsider Boo Radley in the Oscar-winning 1962 adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird.—
Tim Grierson,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
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Involving America’s kindly neighbors to the north?—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And for a sweet trip down memory lane, hit up the stalls dishing out nostalgic treats like candy and coconut wraps, Ding Ding candy, and dragon's beard candy.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
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Merrill’s balance through the swing and bat-to-ball skill placed him in the top 1% and 14%, respectively, in launch-angle sweet-spot percentage and expected slugging percentage last year.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gracious. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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