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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 There was nobody telling us what to do, and obviously that’s very nice. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 July 2026 The Connie Cocktail Lounge, a 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane reimagined as a bar, is another nice touch. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 4 July 2026 The price should be reasonable for a pitcher with a nice track record, and a nice future. — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Matias Maccelli is a nice add, but no other offseason move really moves the needle. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 4 July 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
  • Cecchi recommends visiting from April to June or alternatively in September or October, when the weather is pleasant and the city feels slightly less crowded.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • Most people can recover on their own, although the symptoms aren’t pleasant, says Yancey.
    — Alice Park, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of pleasant
Adjective
  • Genuine smiles and laughter Don't read too much into an initial polite smile.
    — Jeff Haden, CNBC, 9 July 2026
  • Poor Frank and Kirsten look on confused, determinedly polite in their insistence that all family members should be welcome.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • When an accident brings the enigmatic Gaia into their lives, unexpected desires begin to take shape, unsettling the careful balance that has long defined their relationship.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • The Love Goddess Venus enters your sign, spotlighting self-worth and a gracious presence that helps people feel at ease around you.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • Over the years, the Caesars Entertainment team has won over guests with its premier service, glamorous suites, and gracious staff.
    — Paris Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • Messi’s longevity is a story of enduring brilliance but also subtle evolution.
    — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • Buyers will be able to tailor the interior with exclusive leather, Alcantara, and a choice of Comfort or Racing seats, both featuring six vertical grooves as a subtle nod to the six-speed layout.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Someone who lost their way despite their initial, honorable intentions.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026
  • Manliness is a touchy subject these days, but there was a time when honorable combat was respected above the mere running of one’s mouth.
    — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026
Definition of honorable
Adjective
  • Although the achievement is still awaiting formal certification, the milestone highlights the rapid evolution of high-performance drones for military applications.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Braverman was writing in response to another parliamentarian who noted that Jamaica planned to lodge a formal petition for reparations later this year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • Small in size but big on personality, Little Spirit remains one of Atlanta’s most consistently delightful neighborhood cocktail bars.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Sidny Lopes Cabral’s delightful curling strike was one of the great World Cup moments and the image of him in the crowd right after was poignant.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nice

Nglish: Translation of nice for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nice

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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