Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comely are beautiful, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of comely?

The words beautiful and comely can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

When would fair be a good substitute for comely?

Although the words fair and comely have much in common, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than comely?

In some situations, the words handsome and comely are roughly equivalent. However, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another, in the sense of comely?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

Where would pretty be a reasonable alternative to comely?

The meanings of pretty and comely largely overlap; however, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of comely Instead, his big conversion comes later, after Rafael takes a fist to the face for dancing with a local tough guy’s comely fiancée. Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Aug. 2023 Connecticut-raised Troy’s debut novel, Floating, imagines a dinky, dusty town in Arizona where its comely protagonist, Ruby, falls in love with her husband’s estranged, cowboy brother. Hazlitt, 4 May 2022 The comely stars, who are excellent at trolling each other online, are already parents to daughters James, 4, and Inez, 2. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2019 Furthermore, the plant is topped by comely flowers, which in time proudly adorned the button-holes of no less than Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, in their day intentionally marketing the potato to a then-skeptical proletariat. Bill St. John, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for comely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comely
Adjective
  • The décor is handsome, comfortably restrained and acoustically satisfying.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
  • For action movie enthusiasts, the attraction of James Bond films is the archetypal handsome hero battling villains and restoring justice.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • What is this thing that’s so attractive to everybody?
    Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 25 July 2025
  • Don’t miss these insights from CNBC PRO Berkshire Hathaway is underperforming after Buffett's exit news, now trails the S&P 500 This is one of the most attractive opportunities for income, Vanguard says.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • The first act is as much theatrical performance as ballet with the dancers in their costumes signaling their social status as peasant or part of the noble retinue – there are even two beautiful Borzoi dogs that take the stage (and behaved perfectly).
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Growing beautiful, healthy roses takes time and knowledge, but the rewards are great.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Luckily, as our experts explained, the rest of the country is just as lovely as these hubs.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
  • There’s always been this vibrant, youthful energy and purpose to Oxford that is contained within these ancient buildings which is so, so lovely.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Make lunchtime fun again with the help of a cute and colorful bento box or a fun, interactive lunch box.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
  • The moment in which Guy and Nan reunite at the courthouse and mirror each other on a staircase and over a railing, respectively, is reminiscent of their meet cute in Season 1.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Hedwig’s pretty face stares out at you with bright yellow eyes.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Don't cover the condenser coil outside to make your house look prettier.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • The star, who shares baby girl True with Tristan Thompson, had butterfly decorations, cotton-candy vendors, gorgeous pastel balloon arrangements and more at her daughter's massive outdoor celebration.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 29 July 2025
  • The town, located just a few miles from the Spanish border, is also jam-packed with winding cobblestone streets and gorgeous tiled homes, along with plenty of spots to enjoy a bike ride.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • The beautiful building, colored with stained glass and retro pastoral art, and its sprawling patio, provide one of the most charming settings to enjoy a barbecue meal in Central Texas.
    Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Robinson will play Brian Hancock, a sweet, charming, and kind-hearted patient who turns a soccer injury into a possible meet-cute with one of the doctors.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comely. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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