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
1
as in attentiveness
speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding
at this type of private school, young women would be taught upper-class graciousness
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sweetness
the state or quality of having a pleasant or agreeable manner in socializing with others
his graciousness and wit kept his fellow diners entertained throughout the meal
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gracious
Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025
Rose was gracious as ever after his second straight time finishing second in a major, having lost out at Royal Troon last summer.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
The press conference had a very gracious tone on the U.S. relationship.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gracious
Adjective
The draft will be held in Green Bay, and the NFL always brings in collegians who figure to be taken high, so Commissioner Roger Goodell can be the gracious host and hug them after they’re picked.
—Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025
Rose was gracious as ever after his second straight time finishing second in a major, having lost out at Royal Troon last summer.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
The press conference had a very gracious tone on the U.S. relationship.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.
—Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gracious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gracious
Adjective
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Within the church, Francis shifted the pastoral practice toward a more hospitable, welcoming attitude toward those who had long felt excluded.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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This genetic isolation, the authors of the study reasoned, suggested the region likely wasn’t a migration corridor that linked sub-Saharan Africa to Northern Africa despite the Sahara’s hospitable conditions at the time.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thus, a trip to a coin-exchange kiosk (or a bank, or credit union) can yield a pleasant surprise.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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There are many pleasant features of playoff basketball.—
Shane Young,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Under the guise of polite party banter, the two trade barbs, each speaking on behalf of their respective cause.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
3 May 2025
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To many observers, Modi’s success stemmed from his willingness to play on profound resentments, which for decades had been considered offensive to voice in polite society.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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During public remarks in 2022, Justice Elena Kagan – one of the court’s three liberal justices − spoke out against sweeping injunctions and the ability of challengers to find one friendly judge to issue such an order.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
12 May 2025
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Hussain has a friendly, reassuring presence, making the already-simple recipes even less intimidating.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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There may be a nice bunch of grapes, a couple slices of melon, and a hunk of juicy homegrown tomato.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
3 May 2025
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Elite firepower, stingy defense, and all-world goaltending to tie a nice bow on it.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The experience reflects the same thoughtful curation found throughout one of Waikiki’s most exclusive boutique hotels, where nine residential-style suites, each an entire floor with private elevator access, redefine oceanfront luxury.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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For all its thoughtful flourishes, a meal at Kabawa feels easygoing and joyous.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
4 May 2025
Adjective
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The cast includes Stephen Merchant as the voice of the mouse, Kristen Wiig as a scenery-chewing evil aunt, and Jim Broadbent as a kindly but clueless king.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 Dec. 2024
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In his fourth feature, director Hsiao Ya-Chuan follows the unsentimental education of a motherless 11-year-old boy, Liao Jie (Bai Run-yin), raised in poverty by his kindly father, Liao Tai-lai (Liu Kuan-Ting), a waiter at a busy banqueting hall.—
Alissa Simon,
Variety,
25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Following Cameron’s sweet toast to Kaya, Elsbeth offers her own toast and new insights into her next chapter.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
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Last year, after SZA’s major wins at the 2024 Grammys, Beyoncé showed her appreciation with a sweet post-Grammy gesture.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gracious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gracious. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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