cordial

[kawr-juhl, -dee-uhl] / ˈkɔr dʒəl, -di əl /

ADJECTIVE

friendly, sociable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affectionate amicable cheerful congenial cozy earnest gracious heartfelt hearty jovial neighborly polite sincere sympathetic warm warmhearted welcoming

STRONG

glowing heart-to-heart social tender

WEAK

affable agreeable buddy-buddy clubby companionable convivial genial happy invigorating mellow palsy-walsy red-carpet responsive wholehearted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cold cool disagreeable insincere rude sad uncaring unconcerned unenthusiastic unfeeling unfriendly unhappy unkind unsociable unsympathetic

WEAK

aloof hostile indifferent inhospitable uncordial unpleasant

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.

Japan and India both historically have maintained cordial relations with Iran, although they grudgingly complied with US sanctions aimed at stopping all other countries from buying Iranian oil.

From Barron's • May 26, 2026

Instead of being a stumbling block for the EU and Ukraine, Magyar has pledged to seek more cordial ties with Brussels and Kyiv.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

But Michael insists that his behind-the-scenes discussions with Amodei were always polite and cordial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The cordial conversation Monday lasted about eight minutes, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told journalists Wednesday during her regular morning news conference.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

Burnham was decisive, blunt, and cordial; he spoke under a level blue gaze that Olmsted found reassuring.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Vocabulary lists containing cordial

Grade 9, List 2

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Body Language: Cor, Cord, Cardio ("Heart")

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