gracious

[grey-shuhs] / ˈgreɪ ʃəs /

ADJECTIVE

kind, giving

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accommodating affable amiable approachable compassionate congenial considerate cordial courteous courtly friendly genial good-natured hospitable loving polite sociable well-mannered

WEAK

amicable beneficent benevolent benign benignant big-hearted bland bonhomous charitable chivalrous civil complaisant easy forthcoming gallant good-hearted indulgent lenient merciful mild obliging pleasing stately suave tender unctuous urbane

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aloof cold cool disagreeable discourteous disrespectful hateful impolite incompatible indifferent irritable mean rude surly uncivil uncongenial unfriendly unmannerly unrefined unsociable

WEAK

nasty sarcastic severe ungiving ungracious unkind vulgar

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I was really not sure about eating it, but I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was - and how gracious Ronald was too.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

“God don’t make no mistakes but he is gracious and I am humbly asking for his mercy and grace for Sam. I love you son ... to the moon and back 100 times.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

“Markets aren’t typically so gracious as to offer multiple opportunities, which is why we have encouraged investors to be early,” he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

While Fetterman was gracious to Mullin during his questioning, though, he was unusually coy about the status of his support.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

She would be her normal gracious self and they would drink wine and talk about his book and her new zinnias and Igbo-Ukwu art and the Western Region elections fiasco.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Vocabulary lists containing gracious

Be Nice!

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More Positive Words to Describe a Person

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The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)

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