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seemly 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsēm-lē How to pronounce seemly (audio)
Definition of seemlynext
1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste it would not be seemly to use the memorial service as a forum for your political views

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in beautiful
very pleasing to look at a young man of seemly appearance, robust health, and keen intelligence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

seemly

2 of 2

adverb

as in appropriately

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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 seemly
Adverb
Another picture, taken outside, seemly showed the next step in the construction process. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seemly
  1. polite
  2. beautiful
  3. appropriately
  4. proper
  5. attractive
  6. fittingly
  7. decorous
  8. handsome
Adjective
  • Madison is very soft-spoken, very pretty, and effortlessly polite, immediately offering to fetch me a hat from her car for the ride.
    — Marley Marius, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Despite being the literal opposite of confrontational, you’re encouraged to push past the polite lack of response someone gives you today.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • And this must have been one of the most stunningly beautiful places in all of the world.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • While vinyl siding can be beautiful, rust streaks and mold growth can ruin its appearance, making your entire home look drab and neglected.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of beautiful
Adverb
  • Team Neagley emerges victorious, and the bad guys meet appropriately satisfying ends.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The setting of Cahokia, with the Mississippi River running through the city, fog lifting from the surface to meld with the heat and smoke of early industrialization, is appropriately moody.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of appropriately
Adjective
  • The proper accounting of military fatalities has implications beyond public transparency.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • But the administration has left itself few if any attractive alternatives.
    — RICHARD HAASS, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Should the person report directly to OpenAI president and co-founder Greg Brockman, who is reportedly hiring for the role instead of Altman, which would be most attractive for a big name like Hazelbaker?
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of attractive
Adverb
  • One of Foss’s favorite moments is the staircase, which, fittingly, came together in stages—and a series of creative adjustments.
    — Genevieve Walker, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Ravens’ 41 points were the most the Colts have given up in a season-opening home game since 1954, which was 30 years before the team moved — fittingly — from Baltimore to Indianapolis.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fittingly
Adjective
  • What was pell-mell and excited becomes thoughtful and decorous.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Don’t go looking for hushed tones, decorous silence or the other traditions of a sport whose roots exist on the hallowed lawns of polite society.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Enter Darlene’s handsome grandson Matt (Buckley), a Chicago firefighter and die-hard Bears fan who, with a little gentle nudging from Darlene, agrees to show Avery what being part of Bears Nation is all about.
    — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • McDavid’s isolated stats show his line surrendered more goals but still delivered a handsome 54 percent share.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of handsome

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seemliness
seemly
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Cite this Entry

“Seemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seemly. Accessed 25 Sep. 2026.

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