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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cordial different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cordial are affable, genial, gracious, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

When could affable be used to replace cordial?

The synonyms affable and cordial are sometimes interchangeable, but affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

When is genial a more appropriate choice than cordial?

In some situations, the words genial and cordial are roughly equivalent. However, genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

a genial companion with a ready quip

In what contexts can gracious take the place of cordial?

The words gracious and cordial can be used in similar contexts, but gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

When is it sensible to use sociable instead of cordial?

While the synonyms sociable and cordial are close in meaning, sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

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 cordial
Adjective
To wit, cordials, shrubs and kombuchas are all made in-house, inspired by seasonality. Brad Japhe, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025 There was bad news for American whiskey, however, which was down by nearly two percent (more than $5 billion) and cordials (down 3.6 percent). Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
Seeley was floored by what felt like a 180-degree turn from their cordial real-life dynamic. Caroline Framke, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025 The pair are cordial to each other on and off the court, even sharing a private jet together after last year’s China Open final. George Ramsay, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cordial
Adjective
  • The movie was roundly rejected by critics and general audiences aren’t any warmer, with moviegoer survey firm Cinema Score polling a bad C- grade among early viewers.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The pastel colorway, which also includes a warm blue and a mushroom hue bestows a sort of quiet luxury to your chamber.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • With news of Redford’s death Tuesday at age 89, several Tiburon residents remembered him as a gracious, unassuming man who liked to walk around town and patronize local restaurants.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Bluemercury was gracious enough to clue our editors in on what its hottest products of the season are, so that you can be better informed when filling your cart with moisturizers, shampoos, serums, hair styling tools, eyeliners, and all sorts of other beauty essentials.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And its falanghina, imported from the owners’ family winery in Campania, is floral and refreshing.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The team element is a refreshing change from the oppressive singularity of the ATP tour.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Each includes some sort of herbal tonic.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Wash it all down with any of the craft cocktails; the Green Lotus is a refreshing option with lemongrass infused vodka, cucumber and tonic.
    Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Rather, this is merely one more reflection of how Iger has long sought to position Disney as a family-friendly, classic Americana brand with appeal across all sides while eschewing blatantly divisive programming.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The result is a more stable, income-friendly sector—even if production growth is less dramatic.
    Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Finally, researchers found widespread deposits of sepiolite, a mineral that forms in low-temperature, alkaline waters considered highly hospitable from an Earth perspective.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Was there ever an environment less hospitable to humans?
    Thomas Page McBee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Petro has scaled back efforts to target drug supply, instead trying to solve the issue through social programs.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The researchers tested their two-part drug on mice and zebrafish engineered to produce β-glucuronidase, and found that the drug was activated almost exclusively in tumors, sparing healthy tissue and organs.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When Best of Beauty launched in 1996, skin care was something best kept hidden behind your medicine cabinet.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • At the time, society considered whiskey as a suitable medicine for cancer, typhoid, and diphtheria among other illnesses.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cordial. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.

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