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
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
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
-
In 2018, timed to the hotel's 25th anniversary, a major $60 million renovation by Didier Lefort, one of Hill’s co-collaborators, brought a fresh, timeless elegance up to the present moment without ever diluting its true attraction—the rainforest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
-
Nia Long exuded timeless elegance for her Met Gala debut, stepping onto the carpet in her signature natural glam.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Miss Yvonne insisted on her beauty constantly, unapologetically, nonstop, even when no one asked.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 May 2026
-
The festival is broken into two halves, with an Intermission Party in between, featuring festive food, creative opportunities, and music, offering a chance to mingle with the artists and fellow guests amid the beauty of the farm.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Their satanic majesties request your attention to this breaking news.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
In fact, music, the majesty and mystery thereof, is a theme to which Simon has returned time and again.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even seemingly benign alterations for aesthetic reasons are prohibited, such as removing the photojournalist’s own shadow or evidence of their camera equipment, removing an unsightly wire or fencepost, or airbrushing someone’s facial features to increase attractiveness.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
-
Kenya’s data center market is projected to triple to $805 million by 2031, according to a new report, with the country’s renewable energy mix among the factors boosting its attractiveness.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Her stage presence, fashion and gracefulness all stood out, said Billy Mitchell, the Apollo's in-house historian.—
Noelle Lilley,
CBS News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Ca$ino, which feels like a difficult yet necessary transition out of The Melodic Blue and lacks that album’s easy gracefulness, may not yield an immediate answer.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handsomeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsomeness. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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