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
  • As always, the Vivint technician was prompt and polite and needed just under one hour to install the camera, attach the Spotlight Pro fixture, and pair the camera to my Vivint hub.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That message came from school after school site, where polls were open and politicians and volunteers shared greetings, and while the federal election monitors were said to be calm and polite, their presence was called troubling.
    — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • After Pittsburgh failed to score during nearly 4½ straight minutes of power-play time early in the second, Gauthier beat Silovs with a beautiful no-look shot for his first goal.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Mayor Matt Mahan told the crowd that the flower is the perfect symbol for a city with a beautiful past and a bright future.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of beautiful
Adverb
  • The flashback structure doesn’t serve much of a purpose except to delay the audience’s complete endorsement of a character who, though appropriately cantankerous, is unambiguously a hero and nice guy.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Per People, Madonna—perhaps appropriately—chose to go as the Weeping Madonna statue, and Morris was dressed as a nun.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of appropriately
Adjective
  • The administration said the work could begin as soon as the approval and the Interior Department issued a final decision authorizing construction and the proper notification was published by the National Park Service.
    — MATTHEW DALY, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Without proper circulation, harmful fungi have an optimal environment for invading your lawn.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • With shares well above their October lows, Cramer cautioned that further gains will depend on sustained execution rather than an attractive valuation alone.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Incorporating open shelves in the kitchen helped maximize storage while enabling the designer to showcase more of the home’s attractive chink log siding.
    — Sallie Lewis, Architectural Digest, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of attractive
Adverb
  • Patek Philippe Nautilus Flyback Chronograph Future looked fittingly sharp at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards, pairing a Louis Vuitton ensemble with a Patek Philippe Nautilus.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The anodyne-sounding replacement show is fittingly about that which seems plain or banal.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of fittingly
Adjective
  • And if at times the movie comes off as a bit decorous and stiff, the actors, particularly Edgar-Jones and Creed-Miles, do their best to keep the proceedings whirring.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • What was pell-mell and excited becomes thoughtful and decorous.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • The sectional version of contributor Lila Allen’s Kipton sofa has a handsome discount totalling 25% off during the brand’s current furniture sale (20% off orders of $2,000 or more, and 25% off orders of $5,000 or more).
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Both lead to Green-Wood's surprisingly handsome resident arborist, Adam Chervinsky.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 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 12 Nov. 2026.

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