nice

adjective

ˈnīs How to pronounce nice (audio)
Definition of nicenext
1
as in pleasant
giving pleasure or contentment to the mind or senses a cool glass of lemonade sure would be nice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste had nice manners

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in careful
hard to please she's far too nice about her clothes for me to even consider giving her clothing for her birthday

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4
as in gracious
having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations such a nice person to have as a party guest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the noticeably nice folding of the dinner napkins told us that we were in the home of a domestic diva

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in honorable
conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue in those days nice people would not have been caught dead in a gambling casino

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7
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details a gentleman's club with a nice code of honor that no one can breach and still remain a member

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nice different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of nice are accurate, correct, exact, precise, and right. While all these words mean "conforming to fact, standard, or truth," nice stresses great precision and delicacy of adjustment or discrimination.

makes nice distinctions

When can accurate be used instead of nice?

The words accurate and nice can be used in similar contexts, but accurate implies fidelity to fact or truth attained by exercise of care.

an accurate description

When is it sensible to use correct instead of nice?

While the synonyms correct and nice are close in meaning, correct usually implies freedom from fault or error.

correct answers
socially correct dress

Where would exact be a reasonable alternative to nice?

While in some cases nearly identical to nice, exact stresses a very strict agreement with fact, standard, or truth.

exact measurements

How do precise and exact relate to one another, in the sense of nice?

Precise adds to exact an emphasis on sharpness of definition or delimitation.

precise calibration

How are the words right and correct related as synonyms of nice?

Right is close to correct but has a stronger positive emphasis on conformity to fact or truth rather than mere absence of error or fault.

the right thing to do

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 nice Weekend weather across Maryland looks outstanding This upcoming weekend will be the nicest weather weekend so far this fall in Baltimore. — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Debicki slips into the villain role with a nice subtlety that doesn’t hit us in the head with her evil plan to make The Fisherwoman regret ever conjuring up this dreamboat. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026 Okay, that sounds nice, but not two houses in Manhattan, owning an Audi, and not thinking Gucci is expensive nice. — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 The price was $10 lower during June’s Prime Day, but this is still a nice value. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nice
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nice
  1. pleasant
  2. polite
  3. careful
  4. gracious
  5. subtle
  6. honorable
  7. formal
  8. delightful
Adjective
  • The pleasant drop, although not quite sweater weather, does come with some risks on the water with wind and rough conditions on the beach.
    — Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The home's standout feature is that large porch, which really boosts living space and looks like a pleasant place to host guests.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of pleasant
Adjective
  • Music of the margins — which before neoperreo was punk rock and hip-hop — had been framed in opposition to polite society.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The emergency response agents were always polite and professional, and two-way communications came through loud and clear.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • At the heart of these experiences is the resort’s Master Pathfinder and team of Pathfinders, who act essentially as adventure concierges, gracious hosts, and expert guides.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
  • No Camas coach would talk (although one, along with a school administrator, was gracious to me), and the boy's mother wouldn't acknowledge my presence Saturday.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • The rash can be more subtle on darker skin tones, but a bumpy or textured feel is often present.
    — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The last major change was the iPhone X, which dropped the home button almost a decade ago, and even that was a fairly subtle improvement.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Central to the exhibition is the tension between the honorable and the immoral, the appealing and the revolting.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Dealing with the British, his Tenzing is scrupulous and honorable, but don’t confuse that with subservience.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • His death comes in the third week of IDHW’s formal monitoring of the 2026-27 flu season.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
  • OutKick had attended all 13 formal press conferences during the first three Finals games without being called on.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Talking Heads frontman David Byrne makes a delightful cameo as the fictional host Johnny Johnson, while producer Dan Nigro features in the video as well.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Each step sends a ripple through the spongy, thin mat, a slow undulating motion beneath your feet that surprises the senses, disorienting yet simultaneously strangely delightful.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of delightful

Phrases Containing nice

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nibs
nice
nicely
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Cite this Entry

“Nice.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nice. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nice

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nice

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