as in nicely
in a pleasing way
we were pleasantly surprised by their offer to put us up for the night
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Recent Examples of pleasantly
The screen’s swivel mechanism is pleasantly firm and doesn’t move during intense running sessions.
—
Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s a weird disconnect between the show’s pleasantly languid visual feel and its characters’ emotions.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
While vintage-looking grandmillennial floral wallpapers can be pleasantly old-timey, avoid damask and acanthus leaf patterns at all costs.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Not in an uncomfortable way, but pleasantly consuming.
—Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Its architecture, in which yew hedges and pleasantly aged pink-brick walls define rooms and axial walkways, was primarily Nicolson’s work.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
After Season 4 of Stranger Things brought a new generation of fans to Kate Bush, fellow ’80s pop songstress Tiffany was pleasantly surprised to get the same treatment in the fifth and final season.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
Our picks range from plump and pleasantly pungent to lean and luxurious, with budget and splurge options.
—Kathleen Squires, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
As Venus and Uranus harmonize, a heartfelt gesture takes you pleasantly off guard.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s a weird disconnect between the show’s pleasantly languid visual feel and its characters’ emotions.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
While vintage-looking grandmillennial floral wallpapers can be pleasantly old-timey, avoid damask and acanthus leaf patterns at all costs.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Not in an uncomfortable way, but pleasantly consuming.
—Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Its architecture, in which yew hedges and pleasantly aged pink-brick walls define rooms and axial walkways, was primarily Nicolson’s work.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
After Season 4 of Stranger Things brought a new generation of fans to Kate Bush, fellow ’80s pop songstress Tiffany was pleasantly surprised to get the same treatment in the fifth and final season.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2026
Our picks range from plump and pleasantly pungent to lean and luxurious, with budget and splurge options.
—Kathleen Squires, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
As Venus and Uranus harmonize, a heartfelt gesture takes you pleasantly off guard.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantly
Adverb
-
It was well appointed and modern, with a sleek and nicely stocked wet bar, and curtains that swiftly opened or closed at the touch of a button.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
And that should pair nicely with an offense the club expects to be fantastic.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
This chocolatey cake is ultra-fudgy and rich and bakes up deliciously moist every time.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Keep your hair shiny and healthy with this deliciously scented shampoo and conditioner set.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Her part, like that of Alice in Barry’s previous opera, is enlivened by delightfully squeaky high notes in unexpected places.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Evenly spread out in a thin layer on a half sheet pan, each piece of rigatoni is cloaked in sauce and melting cheese, yet comes out of the oven perfectly al dente, with delightfully crisp edges.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
One possibility that can’t be ruled out is the Red Sox could trade Yoshida, who has played great since last September but who has become an awkward roster fit.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The Goldilocks-spec GTS epitomizes what makes the crossover great better than any other member of the line.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
To that end, here’s a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Cate Blanchett, ‘Blue Jasmine’ (2014) Blanchett delivers an enjoyably tragicomic turn in Woody Allen's dramedy as a booze-swilling, Xanax-popping hot mess.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Austin-Gatson emphasized that Georgia's current system — primaries followed by general elections — allows voters to better evaluate candidates and ensures fairness in the process.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Sacramento got to the line plenty as well before the break, shooting 8 for 11.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
When all are well mixed, pour on the boiling Ale by degrees, beating up the mixture continually; then pour it rapidly backward and forward from one jug to another, keeping one jug raised high above the other; till the flip is smooth and finely frothed.—
Jay R. Brooks,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The process of designing and engineering cars has been finely honed by automakers over the decades, even as computer technology has revolutionized the industry and safety standards and requirements strengthened.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Jothan seemed agreeably nerdy—less astro-jazzman than small-town postal clerk—but his attempt at reassurance backfired.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
But despite Harrelson and Marsden’s agreeably give-’em-hell performances, Shock and Awe suffers in comparison not just to All the President’s Men but to 2017’s The Post.—
Will Leitch,
Vulture,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantly. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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