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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 While Judge would surely be gracious about Raleigh beating his mark, the fact is that their teams were within a half-game of each other in the standings at the conclusion of play on Monday night. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 There’s no better meal than one nature is gracious enough to gift. Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Aug. 2025 And Phil and Chris were incredibly gracious throughout that process. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2025 Thanks to both places for being so gracious. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gracious
Adjective
  • As temperatures drop and outdoor conditions become less hospitable, pests start looking for warmth within our homes.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The practice also offers a calm, welcoming environment where doctors have time to be hospitable, offering patients coffee and snacks.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sinner had left the court for a medical timeout after losing the second set, and was sweating heavily from the first set onward on a pleasant 77-degree evening.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The fact that people actually read it — that now, TFD is a fully-fledged media company with a staff of eight and a monthly audience of over 3 million women — came as a pleasant surprise.
    Chelsea Fagan, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These polite pleasantries waste precious attention.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Maikol Gabriel López Lizano was two years older than Acosta Peña, warm and polite.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The result is a set of policies that has baffled some China experts, or at least raised questions about the president’s stance on America’s friendly rival.
    Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Twine also noted its subtle scent, quick absorption, and makeup-friendly finish.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • An amicable run-in with his ex-wife in this episode has the same thoughtful feeling.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Her solution is to be thoughtful and focused on the right risks and opportunities.
    Jack McCullough, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s no Nurse Ratched here, however, but there is the kindly Steve, who watches out for all of them, especially Shy, who is hiding a secret from the others.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025
  • To that end, BALLS imagines a reality where the kindly Professor NPC who offers you a choice of three starter monsters is actually the one who created both the technology and normalized culture of trapping living things in spherical prisons.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Grandma's favorite time-saving trick is to rely on the trusty the slow-cooker to make sweet, tender onions that require little to no stirring.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The post included a number of photos and videos, with the first slide showing a sweet snap of Anstead, 46, holding Hudson as Haack, 42, poses beside them with a big smile.
    Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gracious. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gracious

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