1
as in elegance
dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style
a modern-style addition that detracts from the handsomeness of that neoclassic building
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beauty
the qualities in a person or thing that as a whole give pleasure to the senses
she never had noticed his handsomeness until he got a more becoming haircut
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handsomeness
Though serious, Parsons’ handsomeness prevents him from looking stereotypically nerdy.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
West happily said Lucas is not like Gaston at all in real life, apart from the handsomeness.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Its unique exterior styling attracts attention, not from being gawdy or flashy but from bold handsomeness.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Both were a byword, too, for male beauty, fully alive to the almost laughable impact of their handsomeness, yet ill at ease, now and then, with their perches on the pedestal.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Caught Stealing showcases the first time in his adult career that Butler appears truly comfortable using his natural handsomeness and charisma to his advantage on screen.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Stamp retained his looks as the years ticked by, his natural handsomeness hardened by a more grizzled look.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
West happily said Lucas is not like Gaston at all in real life, apart from the handsomeness.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Casting two of the most smoldering contemporary actors on the planet clearly stacks the deck, and carries on the long tradition of pairing a dashing figure of brooding handsomeness (Laurence Olivier, Ralph Fiennes) with a breathless screen beauty (Merle Oberon, Juliette Binoche).
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Its unique exterior styling attracts attention, not from being gawdy or flashy but from bold handsomeness.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 21 Sep. 2025
Both were a byword, too, for male beauty, fully alive to the almost laughable impact of their handsomeness, yet ill at ease, now and then, with their perches on the pedestal.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025
Caught Stealing showcases the first time in his adult career that Butler appears truly comfortable using his natural handsomeness and charisma to his advantage on screen.
—Esther Zuckerman, Time, 29 Aug. 2025
Stamp retained his looks as the years ticked by, his natural handsomeness hardened by a more grizzled look.
—Pan Pylas, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsomeness
Noun
-
Spacious rooms and suites are among some of the largest in the city and reflect the elegance, refinement, and comfort long associated with Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
4 June 2026
-
Here are nine couches for small spaces that channel elegance without stuffiness.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The artist Theaster Gates, who has paid tribute to Black life and Black beauty in the center’s Forum building with a frieze of archival images from Ebony and Jet magazines, is also a neighbor to the center with his cultural revitalization projects through the Rebuild Foundation.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Hailey Bieber's beauty brand Rhode is set to host a pop-up kiosk in Newport this month.—
Bailey Allen,
The Providence Journal,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The team leapt to a 2-0 lead early in the first half thanks to the majesty and refreshing return-to-form of Christian Pulisic, who assisted on the first goal and finished off the second.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
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There are acid critiques of settler colonialism alongside tributes to the majesty of the American landscape, sober revisitations of enslavement alongside hopeful pleas for liberation, bitter denouncements of intervention in wars abroad alongside quaint homages to homespun Americanness.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Decades later, research continues to find that attractiveness influences hiring decisions, salaries, legal outcomes, and perceptions of competence.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Savvy European governments and businesses should be able to find ways to support the domestic economic interests of Gulf countries, while also demonstrating the attractiveness of investment opportunities on their own continent.—
Dr. Robert Mogielnicki,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The brightly colored stalk of larkspur blooms will always draw attention in the garden, and true to their aesthetic, these statuesque flowers are associated with gracefulness and positivity.—
Jenny Krane,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 May 2026
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Her stage presence, fashion and gracefulness all stood out, said Billy Mitchell, the Apollo's in-house historian.—
Noelle Lilley,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handsomeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsomeness. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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