Definitions

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

Mr. Powell was gracious toward Mr. Warsh in his press conference on Wednesday, though it was surprising to hear he hadn’t met with his successor since a dinner in January.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 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

I called him up, and he was gracious enough to come and be part of us celebrating 250 years as a country.”

From Slate • Apr. 28, 2026

“Not at all—it bears the most gracious message in the world: for the rest, you are not my conscience-keeper, so don’t make yourself uneasy. Here, come in, bonny wanderer!”

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

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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