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Definition of cordialnext
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cordial

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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

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
While a source familiar with the situation said the meeting was cordial, Pentagon officials did not just threaten to cancel Anthropic’s $200 million contract with them, but also a designation that could threaten their bottom line. Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026 The seemingly quaint and cordial sport of curling was rocked by cheating allegations during the Winter Games. Sallee Ann Harrison, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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 See All Example Sentences for cordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cordial
Adjective
  • The afternoon will be about 10 degrees warmer than normal, with temperatures climbing into the middle to upper 80s.
    Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
  • When the weather’s warm, plate up a snack in the open-concept kitchen to take outside—the views of the surroundings fields and forests are unparalleled.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Even as nearly every impact name in the room around him received a nice handout from the Walton-Penner ownership group, Franklin-Myers continued to remain gracious to Denver and never careened around in public with his demands for a new contract.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Perhaps the most notable reply came from Crumbl itself, which took a gracious approach rather than a defensive one.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • With so much fashion existing online, there’s something refreshing about trying pieces on in-store after eyeing them first on a little screen.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Elsewhere, drivers are refreshing apps like GasBuddy and going out of their way for cheaper fuel and discounts as prices reach nearly $4 a gallon on average.
    Casey He, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • And today, free tuition could be the PR tonic California needs to brighten its faded image across America.
    George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • And today, free tuition could be the PR tonic California needs to brighten its faded image across America.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Her government is to scrap a lethal arms exports ban in the coming weeks to promote Japan's defense industry and cooperation with the United States and other friendly nations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026
  • Your community gains volume alongside the Moon bouncing into your friendly 11th house, so your team brainstorm or group chat may suddenly gain momentum regarding an upcoming project.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The North Atlantic in February is no gentle passage, and conditions aboard a working cargo ship are far from hospitable for wildlife.
    Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
  • People who hear about HAARP today do so in an information environment that is extremely hospitable to paranoia.
    Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in Miami are targeting Cuban leaders for possible prosecution on economic, drug, violent and immigration offenses, CBS News reported earlier this month.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026
  • The Omid hospital was renamed and expanded in size roughly a year ago from the Ibn Sina Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital as part of government plans to stamp out drug addiction in Afghanistan.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Through his rigorious investigation into forensic medicine, Keel uncovers how medical examiners and death investigators can be complicit in obscuring the violent circumstances of in-custody deaths at state institutions.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Pill organizers are small enough to fit in a personal item bag and keep all of your vitamins and medicine in one convenient spot.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cordial. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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