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.

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

A thrifty sort, then—he acts as his own camera operator and prefers hardware-store lightbulbs to specialized equipment—and one gracious in acknowledging his co-workers of many years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"They were so gracious and wonderful and accepted me with open arms, it was really lovely to get to know everybody," she said.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

“People are so gracious to us and welcoming us and thanking us for coming — and then apologizing.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

“He’ll never want to stay out all night again by the time I’ve finished with him. Good gracious me! What’s that awful noise?”

From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

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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