Definition of handsomenext
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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 Should your tastes change or your bedroom’s color palette evolves, the removable cushions reveal handsome wooden headboard slats that make the design feel like two bed frames in one. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2026 Stewart is generally considered the handsomest of the Whitfields, and is certainly the most powerful as the heir apparent to the role of CEO of Whitfield Industries. ABC News, 26 May 2026 His name is Antonio Gracias, a handsome private equity investor from Detroit. Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 25 May 2026 Vagner was tall, unbearably handsome and disarmingly charming. Lisa Poliak, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for handsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome
Adjective
  • There are beautiful walks and cycle rides and pretty Champenois villages in every direction, including Hautvillers, with the little church where Dom Pérignon is buried.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The playoff leader in goals, Howden had a beautiful tip on a shot by Theodore for his 11th of the playoffs and perhaps his most important in Game 1.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • What strikes him about the style is that nothing feels out of place—every column, window, and detail is part of a graceful whole.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026
  • There is nothing more graceful than a heron in motion.
    Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • He was wanted in connection with three killings in the Puna District, a large rural area on the island’s east coast.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 1 June 2026
  • The decor gets markedly more elaborate in larger suites like the Presidential Suite, with its own media room for film screenings and soaking tubs by windows with Hermes toiletries.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • There’s eight bedrooms across the rental, multiple indoor gathering spaces, and an 18-seat dining table that can host a sizable feast.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 31 May 2026
  • Former Current forward Nichelle Prince, traded to Boston (2-3-7) in January, had two late looks during the sizable block of injury time that followed the opening 45 minutes.
    Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • And as if managing the spotlight and headlines weren’t enough, Austin trips and falls right in front of Diego Cruz, his attractive, flirty rival.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 30 May 2026
  • Logistics, in particular, has become an attractive sector for deployment.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • Michter’s has spent years proving that rye can also be elegant, balanced, and surprisingly approachable, and its latest 10 Year Rye release continues that mission.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
  • In Palm Beach, Florida, Jelly Roll performs at his Little ASS Shed Tour, while in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner look elegant as ever in black and white outfits.
    People Staff, PEOPLE, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • The number was substantial — life-changing by most standards.
    Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • Study authors noted that while some archaeologists have considered the existence of a local government, there is no substantial evidence to support this notion.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026
Adjective
  • There are merits to both approaches, but also considerable risks.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
  • Last year, when prices spent a considerable amount of time under $3 a gallon on average, gas added about a tenth of a percentage point to the company’s gross margin.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 31 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Handsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsome. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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