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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 influencer was gracious about her departure, though. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025 The gracious donation was a moment that perfectly embodied the festival’s mission of giving back to the same city that’s been showing Clipse love since day one. Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025 The flagship offers an expansive collection of wallcoverings, rugs, furniture, and more, and aims to capture the welcoming, gracious environment the brand is known for while signaling its evolution. Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2025 But these aren’t gods in oh-so-gracious robes or with armor or holding lightning bolts in their hands. David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gracious
Adjective
  • Deep in the Amish and Mennonite communities of Ohio and Indiana, the dessert menu at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, a hospitable chain of family-style restaurants, features a pecan pie of grand design.
    Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Vacherot triumphed 6-3, 6-4, to reach his first ATP final at tour level, moving one match away from capping one of the most extraordinary performances of the year, in the part of the season most hospitable to the unexpected.
    James Hansen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Outlook used to be complex and unfriendly, but Microsoft has replaced it with a far sleeker and faster version, which is surprisingly pleasant to work with.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The home at 4573 Greenview Drive unfolds across 4,523 square feet with four en suite bedrooms and pleasant surprises around every corner.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 study showed that when users dropped the polite fluff and went straight to the point, ChatGPT's accuracy ticked upward.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And while offering to help clean up is polite, Jokilehto says there’s a right way to do it.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In warm weather that means competitive golf tournaments, friendly tennis clinics, outdoor summer concerts, and a calendar full of signature community events.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Wear them with a simple long-sleeve top or T-shirt for a casual look, or add a blazer and heels for an office-friendly outfit.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With that in mind, his glowing comments on Jeter paid a nice tribute.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In her opinion, a courthouse wedding or a small ceremony in a family member's backyard would have been just as nice, Kate said.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For a thoughtful gift, package Joanna Gaines’ vanilla sugar with a bag of coffee beans, a cute mug, or a small French press to create a complete coffee kit.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • For families who value that approach, Carruth’s books offer a thoughtful and accessible way to encourage shared reading and meaningful connection.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 Oct. 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
  • Some bakeries also offer Americanized options, such as chocolate chip conchas or muffin-style sweet breads.
    Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In some Asian cultures, mung beans are cooked and mashed to form a sweet dessert paste.
    Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gracious. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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