1
as in gracious
having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations
a genial host who makes a point of speaking personally to each and every guest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest
genial new neighbors who helped us unpack boxes and brought us dinner our first night in the new place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hospitable
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
his genial offer to give me his seat on the bus
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in temperate
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
wanted to move to a more genial clime for health reasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genial
As mayor of the global megalopolis, Mohan knows one of his chief duties is to communicate a genial unflappability rather than a slick charm.
—
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Despite the hearing’s overall genial tone, Isaacman did face some tough questions about his support for NASA’s climate science and agricultural data missions, which the Project Athena plan reportedly proposed outsourcing to academia.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 3 Dec. 2025
This genial doc-by-way-of-a-video-game may have been born out of the pandemic, which is what prompted out-of-work actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen to attempt a production of Hamlet staged entirely within Grand Theft Auto Online.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Carlos, the genial host and himself an ardent art lover, added a warm welcoming Miami touch of his own.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Belinda Luscombe, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Despite the hearing’s overall genial tone, Isaacman did face some tough questions about his support for NASA’s climate science and agricultural data missions, which the Project Athena plan reportedly proposed outsourcing to academia.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 3 Dec. 2025
This genial doc-by-way-of-a-video-game may have been born out of the pandemic, which is what prompted out-of-work actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen to attempt a production of Hamlet staged entirely within Grand Theft Auto Online.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Carlos, the genial host and himself an ardent art lover, added a warm welcoming Miami touch of his own.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
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To her credit, Shiffrin was gracious in defeat.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Shiffrin was predictably gracious in defeat — as rare as those defeats are.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That has come to bear in his latest effort, Junior, a gorgeous 50-seat restaurant full of warm sound and spirit.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
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First, fill the tub with warm water and dissolve one tablet, or one-half tablet for sinks.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As hospitable as the whole Slagsvol family is, the episode really revolves around Austen and Salley and Craig and Charley, like some Dollar Store version of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
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Notably, young calves have thinner blubber and more limited thermal insulation than adults, which makes warmer breeding areas much more hospitable than the frigid Arctic seas.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The dammuso stays temperate thanks to its 19-to-23-inch-thick stone walls, which slowly absorb heat during the day and release it at night, and its domes—more than 13-feet tall—that allow rising heat to dissipate above the living spaces.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
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His tone is temperate, but the words echo through the State Capitol’s Assembly chamber, the august backdrop for his speech.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dry, pleasant weather returns over the weekend for Valentine's Day, with high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s, light winds and mostly sunny skies.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
13 Feb. 2026
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If this feels outside of your comfort zone, opt for a simple, pleasant one-line opening.—
Outside,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Next, environmentally friendly chemicals convert the rare earths from solid to liquid form, allowing selective separation.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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Per capita income was just $4,000, and the government once tried to bribe me to provide more friendly coverage.—
Nicholas D. Kristof,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The intuitive Moon is in your sign, lighting your 1st House of Identity and inviting you to show gentle leadership through presence rather than pressure.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
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This villa is high enough to feel secluded, but never removed from the gentle rhythm of the Caribbean island of Bequia.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The potluck is chaotic but really nice.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
11 Feb. 2026
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And if there is a next step, that would be nice.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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