HANDSOMEST Synonyms: 367 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'handsome' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of handsome are beautiful , comely , fair , lovely , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'beautiful' instead of 'handsome'?

While the synonyms beautiful and handsome are close in meaning, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: How are the words 'comely' and 'handsome' related?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When could 'fair' be used to replace 'handsome'?

The synonyms fair and handsome are sometimes interchangeable, but fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

Q: How do 'lovely' and 'beautiful' relate to one another, in the sense of 'handsome'?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite. // a lovely melody

Q: When would 'pretty' be a good substitute for 'handsome'?

The words pretty and handsome can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

handsome

adjective

ˈhan(t)-səm

Definition of handsome

as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at a handsome man with finely chiseled features

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in graceful

having or showing elegance the glass-topped table was a handsome addition to the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in large

of a size greater than average of its kind earns a handsome salary as senior vice president of the firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sizable

sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention real estate developers realized a handsome profit on that deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective handsome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of handsome are beautiful, comely, fair, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of handsome?

While the synonyms beautiful and handsome are close in meaning, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When could fair be used to replace handsome?

The synonyms fair and handsome are sometimes interchangeable, but fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another, in the sense of handsome?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

When would pretty be a good substitute for handsome?

The words pretty and handsome can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 handsome Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen’s debut novel has inspired a handsome new adaptation starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as sisters navigating love in the aftermath of loss. — A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 The story is well known, and Peedom’s handsome film (Stefan Duscio provides the lush cinematography) doesn’t rewrite the rules of mountain-climbing movies. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2026 Both the living and dining rooms have handsome storage cabinets. — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 6 Sep. 2026 Ironically, that only clicks into focus when Lester hires a handsome indigenous boy named Jimmy (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) to be the woman of the house. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handsome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome

Adjective

And this must have been one of the most stunningly beautiful places in all of the world.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
While vinyl siding can be beautiful, rust streaks and mold growth can ruin its appearance, making your entire home look drab and neglected.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of beautiful

Adjective

Urbanie Lucero’s choreography and movement direction maintain the production’s graceful poise.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
From curved pulls to squiggly handles, and even a style finished off with a metal tassel, these operate as graceful accessories to enhance old and new furnishings.

— Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

The Justice Department and FCC have approved the transaction without asking for any concessions or remedies — an unusually hands-off approach for such a large horizontal merger.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Sep. 2026
China’s trade with Africa last year was four times larger than Washington’s with the continent, and that gap looks set to widen after Beijing extended its zero-tariff policy across Africa.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of large

Adjective

Anyone borrowing money to make a sizable purchase, such as a home, car or large appliance, will likely take a hit eventually.

— Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
The nation’s blood centers have long relied on high school and university blood drives not only as a dependable and sizable donation source, but as an introduction to young people about the importance of donating.

— Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of sizable

Adjective

The 10-year Treasury yield at nearly two-decade highs above 5% starts to look like a pretty attractive risk-free return.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
New London officials are eagerly endorsing Spinnaker Real Estate Partners’ proposal as a way to draw some of the thousands of new employees being hired by nearby Electric Boat while recapturing a stretch of attractive waterfront at the marina.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of attractive

Adjective

The menu is helmed by Tyler Heckman, a Connecticut native who cut his teeth in New York, and is elegant and thoughtfully sourced but approachable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
Related Articles All over the bodice, but most certainly the skirt of the dress, flouncy, delicate feathers were featured in abundance, giving the overall design a distinctly textural and playful feel that was still refined and elegant.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of elegant

Adjective

The creator may own the message, but the platform has considerable influence over its distribution.

— Sergi Cerrato, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Even today, after significant changes to the tax code, earning income through a pass-through business can carry considerable tax advantages over earning it through other types of businesses — or as an employee.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of considerable

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hands-off

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handsomely

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“Handsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsome. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of handsome

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