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 The two, who were both wearing sharp, handsome suits, made their name on TikTok by posting comedic bits, sometimes in collaboration with each other. Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 27 Dec. 2025 The handsome pair of actors play sniper specialists from enemy countries who must each take a long shift on opposite sides of a massive trench where some unnatural monsters apparently lurk below. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 27 Dec. 2025 Explore the area's storied history by visiting its mysterious stone circles or its handsome historic homes. Andrea Bussell, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025 The story follows the handsome knight Edward Carnifex (Jonah Hauer-King), who quickly grows bored after marrying his longtime love, Eleanor (Kristine Froseth). Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome
Adjective
  • Monticello is stunningly beautiful.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • For those who aren’t aware of the background, Bertone is a legendary Italian auto design house famous for cars like the beautiful Alfa GTV (1963–77) and the bedroom-poster favorite, the Lamborghini Countach of 1974.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • September 23 – October 22 The stars currently favor graceful, honest dialogue.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Even after so long, Camilla was still moved at the sight of her, so graceful and petite, with that thin, waif-like face.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Unitree confirmed that the G1 is designed as a compact, foldable humanoid focused on affordability and scalability, while the larger H2 targets industrial applications.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In Europe, where Panattoni has operated for around 20 years, the platform spans 15 countries through 36 offices and has been the region's largest developer for eight consecutive years.
    CBS News, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This compact yet sizable belt bag has a simple silhouette that looks very similar to the one Diaz just wore.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Highly revered for its outdoorsy facilities, the low-slung La Reserve Hotel and Spa Geneva occupies a sizable, green patch alongside its namesake lake.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • And who doesn’t relish the gothic details of an ancient manor and grumpy yet uniquely attractive duke that owns it?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Together with its other untapped resources, this presents yet another attractive trait to any suitor in pursuit of technological and industrial preeminence.
    Chloe Demrovsky, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The island's Curtain Bluff is an elegant all-inclusive resort on the south coast, surrounded by two beaches.
    Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
  • Butternut squash, potato leek, cauliflower – these soups can turn humble ingredients into something elegant.
    Cheryl Russell, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The sensational nature of his escape and the substantial reward for his recapture brought in rumors from all over the state.
    Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
  • The combined battery weight is substantial, tipping the scales at approximately 640 lb and 666 lb, respectively, reflecting the system’s focus on long-range capability and durability for a full-size MPV platform.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (foot) is the only considerable contributor inactive with injury.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In theory, this engine could achieve escape velocity from the Solar System, but would also produce considerable heat and radiation that would need to be safely contained.
    Matthew S Williams, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Handsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsome. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.

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