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
Bale does make a reasonably winsome Frankenstein’s monster.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
At least Tommy gets a love interest this time around, thanks to a winsome sheriff’s daughter (daddy issues in a franchise all about mommy issues?
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
But Raj and Sophia Laforteza, 23; Daniela Avanzini, 21; Yoonchae Jeung, 18; Manon Bannerman, 23; and Megan Skiendiel, 19, are breaking out of the K-pop mold with a winsome emphasis on individuality and authenticity.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Both books are surprising, soulful, quick reads, starring winsome characters.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winsome
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
At least Tommy gets a love interest this time around, thanks to a winsome sheriff’s daughter (daddy issues in a franchise all about mommy issues?
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
But Raj and Sophia Laforteza, 23; Daniela Avanzini, 21; Yoonchae Jeung, 18; Manon Bannerman, 23; and Megan Skiendiel, 19, are breaking out of the K-pop mold with a winsome emphasis on individuality and authenticity.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Both books are surprising, soulful, quick reads, starring winsome characters.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for winsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for winsome
Adjective
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The French—and, later, Anglo (Wilde, Beardsley, Rossetti)—attitude, mannered and morbid, was perhaps too Old World, at odds with our cheerful, Protestant rapacity.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Create a cheerful canvas collage inspired by artist Robin Anne Cooper.—
Kris Slugg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
The neighborhood/area Just a couple blocks off the eastern end of Montauk’s main drag, Marram is walking distance from charming local eateries (like Joni’s, for breakfast), surfboard rentals over at Sunset Surf Shack, and fresh brews at Montauk Brewing Company.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
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There’s Lewis Pullman, continuing to work his own dad’s charming everyman appeal.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The casting featured a deep roster of models, from elders to adorable kids, many the children of staffers.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
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Hop on over to neighboring Mad Martha’s for ice cream, Murdick’s for fudge, and the adorable Edgartown Books for beach reads.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
His orangey hair nearly matched a color in his brand-new Miami Dolphins jersey, the number thirty-nine spangly and bright.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
This popular, low-maintenance plant features stunning burgundy foliage and bright pink spring flowers.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Big Bear Valley's beloved baby eagles finally have names – and one moniker is a tribute to a dear friend of the nonprofit.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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McDaniels held onto Murray for dear life — often literally clasping his jersey — as the Nuggets tried to run him off every conceivable screen.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Ahead of the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting Saturday, the mood in the air was cautiously optimistic as new and returning investors weighed the company’s direction under a new chief executive.—
Yun Li,Alex Harring,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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Blue Origin has a long way to go before achieving 100 New Glenn flights, and doing it within three years sounds overly optimistic.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Nobody wants a grammar correction popping up in the middle of a sweet message from their partner.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
2 May 2026
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Initially shy and reserved, according to her foster family, Cindy Lou is learning to come out of her shell and show her charming, sweet side.—
Maryanne Dell,
Oc Register,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Two-year-old Mala Audio Bar sets its cocktails to the crackle of vintage vinyl, while Konbini hides behind a grocery storefront, opening into a Colombian-Japanese speakeasy where disco and highballs collide amid a beautiful crowd.—
Allie Lazar,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
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My father, a boy, sat in the back seat with his brothers and Choute—Duchess of Montmoreau, née de Troguindy, a beautiful and aristocratic woman who went by this single childhood nickname.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Winsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/winsome. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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