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 Nest Learning Thermostat is a handsome, effective device, one that arguably kickstarted the smart home revolution with its simple usability and gorgeous design.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Cole is the handsome, non-committal Miami playboy who your best friend warns you about.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The vast majority of the city’s industrial jobs remained low paying, dangerous, and only attractive to the most desperate Americans until the 1940s.
    Made by History, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
  • These rooms, and the rest of the interior, have just been professionally repainted using attractive colors.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • While scented candles are ubiquitous in the world of home fragrance, the best reed diffusers bring just as beautiful of an ambiance to your space.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025
  • What technologies can be employed to make beautiful, lightweight, yet resilient gold jewelry?
    Kyle Roderick, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Opened just a few years ago, the Asbury Ocean Club Hotel offers excellent service, lovely rooms and terrific food.
    Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • There is an endless supply of them, usually taking place in lovely ancient English towns, where there seem to be a fantastic number of murderers.
    Shannon Doyne, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Save on breezy skirts, cute jeans, and stretchy yoga pants that are ideal for travel.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • More: Are cute children's books teaching kids about gender and sexuality?
    Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Today's must-shop deals ☕️ Chic kitchen upgrade: Save 33% on the prettiest Café Specialty Drip Coffee Maker that our editors love.
    Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Shoppers are flocking to airy dresses, breezy pants, pretty blouses, and more clothes.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Also make sure to stop in at the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery, which features gorgeous Florida landscapes by native son A.E.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Check out the indoor and outdoor spas after your hike up Bartlett Mountain or regain your energy with a BBQ feast on the gorgeous two-story outdoor terrace.
    Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Bringing in this charming, unpredictable element illustrates Rowlson-Hall’s approach to embracing life in all its beauty and complications.
    Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Jacquemus Opens Los Angeles Boutique—Attendees For Opening Include Lori Harvey And Laura Harrier Nestled in the heart of West Hollywood, French fashion house Jacquemus has unveiled its new boutique within a charming rustic home.
    Mecca Pryor, Essence, 25 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Comely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comely. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on comely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!