1
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition
she was a bright, winsome gamine who could draw a smile out of anyone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in charming
likely or intended to win one's affection
in her new role, the actress again displays the winsome charm that has made her an audience favorite
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adorable
having qualities that tend to make one loved
an actress who specialized in playing winsome ingenues in romantic comedies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of winsome
Gustav finds a replacement actress, an American (she’s played, with winsome gravitas, by Elle Fanning), and moves forward with his project—but not really.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
Cleverbot veers from sounding like a winsome waif to coming across as a drunk, smart-alecky fifteen-year-old who talks in non sequiturs.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Sixpence None the Richer sewed up a narrow winsome acoustic indie segment of the Christian pop market.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winsome
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Nov. 2025
Cleverbot veers from sounding like a winsome waif to coming across as a drunk, smart-alecky fifteen-year-old who talks in non sequiturs.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Olsen plays Joan’s indecision with winsome fluster, at first breathy and trembling but eventually finding her resolve.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Sixpence None the Richer sewed up a narrow winsome acoustic indie segment of the Christian pop market.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winsome
Adjective
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Sweater nails feel cozy and cheerful in the winter, especially in a shocking shade of scarlet.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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Citrus Wreaths Create cheerful wreaths that lean on in-season oranges and lemons for pops of color.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The allure of their relationship is undeniable, but charming as their chemistry is, something is definitely off.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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For a quintessential small-town Vermont experience, stay at the charming Mad River Barn right around the corner.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This includes flouncy midi dresses, romantic blouses, and adorable footwear.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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But no amount of adorable anthropomorphic messaging can account for the screenwriters’ screaming lack of research and zero likable characters.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Bure is keeping her faith — and her Christmas crown — shining bright.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Researchers have discovered the brightest and most powerful flare ever seen from a supermassive black hole.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy was a special person and a dear and loyal friend.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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Otis… oh, sweet, dear, nerdy Otis.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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While the center has shifted its funding to focus to operating the two clinics and remaining open as a gathering space, Hawkins is still optimistic despite the losses.—
Eloise Rollins-Fife,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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And participants with the top 20% of stock holdings are especially optimistic.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In October 2024, Wasdin celebrated Ashmore's 45th birthday with a sweet post on Instagram.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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The Pats trusted their tight ends to handle Dolphins edge defenders on several occasions, and Henry did the job; not to mention his team-high five catches and sweet one-handed grab in the second quarter.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His son is in the beginning, messy, beautiful process of becoming.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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There’s also a lot going on in the personal lives of the folks at 51, the biggest being Boden’s wedding, which — despite a glitch with Herrmann’s offer to hold the event at his church — winds up being a beautiful affair.—
Will Harris,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winsome. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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