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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 The main level flows with intent: a gracious foyer and generous living room overlook the gardens, while a refined kitchen — complete with a butler’s pantry — anchors the space for effortless entertaining. Upstairs, three bedrooms offer surprising scale, with ample closet space and natural light. Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025 In almost all respects, Masako—true to her breeding—was the very model of a modest and gracious ojōsan. Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025 While people are generally gracious about missteps, recent surges in tourist numbers are starting to strain that vaunted hospitality. Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2025 Each exclusive and unique event includes a tour of the winery, gracious hospitality, and chef Janik Livera’s innovative dishes paired with Maverick’s wines. Johanna Read, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gracious
Adjective
  • The staff is highly hospitable on and off the greens.
    Katie Sweeney, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • And rats, definitely a group that shouldn’t find our neighborhoods hospitable.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • The 25-year-old is always pleasant and wearing a big smile.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Having visited the dome myself, the clearest impression that stays with me is how Hiroshima isn’t just surprisingly pleasant, but beautiful.
    Ed Simon August 18, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The pain of staying polite is losing the sale to someone bolder, faster, and clearer.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • But each polite knockback and odd digression throws out at least one casually sublime spark.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Time-traveling romances, space-traveling alien monsters, and celebrities in seriously great shape who want to pass along their wisdom to us normal folk — all this and more await us in this weekend’s friendly neighborhood streaming guide.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The show serves as a friendly frame for the songs without threatening to get in the way of them.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Both Trejo and Crowley rode in the 2025 Centennial Tucson Rodeo, a nice mirroring of the agency’s own 100-year history.
    Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The in-between woman has a nice corporate job in a nice corporate office.
    Weike Wang, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • These aren’t edge cases but increasingly common scenarios requiring thoughtful, human-centric design.
    Anuradha Gupta, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • An artistic 14-year-old boy known for his thoughtful nature drowned just weeks before starting high school, Michigan officials say.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Isla Baker, 14, of Downers Grove, plays Mrs. Dashwood, the kindly mother of the girls, and two other characters.
    Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 15 July 2025
  • Those with kindly outlooks might believe that people comfy with that kind of damage might not understand its impact.
    Pat Beall, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Fresh bakery items, quick on-the-go snacks, self-serve coffee and sweet tea, and even a bottle of wine to take home to celebrate the start of the weekend with your roommates are all available at your fingertips.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2025
  • The latest additions to the Dolly Parton x Lodge line include four new cast-iron skillets plus darling bakeware to give your homemade sweet treats a touch of her incomparable charm.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gracious. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on gracious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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