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
  • In Berkeley, where California clay culture yanked ceramics out of the category of polite craft and into something huge, physical, ugly, and beautiful, Heilmann learned to weld.
    — Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Bukele’s manner is polite but imperious, slow to bestow approval.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • There are a lot of on-the-road songs about travels through this strange, heartbreaking, and beautiful planet.
    — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The skyline floated like an uncanny but beautiful projection off to our side.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of beautiful
Adverb
  • Are academic expectations developmentally appropriate but appropriately challenging?
    — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • No evidence could be found for the items having been removed from Egypt appropriately.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of appropriately
Adjective
  • In an Early Childhood classroom, this might include children hanging up their belongings, cleaning a spill, returning work to its proper location, and helping care for plants, animals, or the classroom.
    — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Most routine claims in Louisville, though, center on proper documentation and clear medical evidence rather than extraordinary employer actions.
    — Jason Phillips, Ascend Agency, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • Still, the small form factor could make the technology attractive for compact industrial sensors and other devices where space is limited.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • And, even with a question mark in its future, WBD's assets are still attractive to other potential buyers.
    — Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of attractive
Adverb
  • Perhaps fittingly for such a demonized woman, Zosia is giving up her secrets grudgingly.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Shortly thereafter, once Bunker came his way, the opportunity to depict a man who’s drastically turning his life around became a fittingly cathartic parallel to Pelphrey’s own recovery journey.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fittingly
Adjective
  • What used to be called UFOs and now go by the more decorous handle of UAPs—or unidentified anomalous phenomena—are being given the full investigatory treatment.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The press coverage in Austria and Germany had been relatively decorous.
    — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Flynn delivers a knockout twist midway through this thriller about a picture-perfect young woman who has presumably been killed by her handsome husband.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Both variants are available in handsome Pearl and Onyx finishes – but the Kickstarter exclusive Ember (a vibrant reddish orange) variant with 12GB RAM looks especially hot.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of handsome

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Cite this Entry

“Seemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seemly. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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