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
When anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois took over CBS Evening News last year, part of the network’s strategy was to imitate a local news format, with a genial cast of personalities reporting from the field.
—
Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
October Paddington Bear is the genial literary creation that has spawned a movie franchise, a West End stage play, and now, a bizarre legal tussle.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
While the entire band was a powerhouse, as lead singer Malo brought not only strong, soulful vocals that could veer between a Roy Orbison-esque baritone croon and country twang, but a genial humor that often manifested itself during the group’s concerts.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for genial
Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Jan. 2026
October Paddington Bear is the genial literary creation that has spawned a movie franchise, a West End stage play, and now, a bizarre legal tussle.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
While the entire band was a powerhouse, as lead singer Malo brought not only strong, soulful vocals that could veer between a Roy Orbison-esque baritone croon and country twang, but a genial humor that often manifested itself during the group’s concerts.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
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Not a good idea when your intention is to be gracious.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Bottom-liners had also nixed Gehry’s original design for a more gracious lobby with a cafe out front, not the gloomy one installed against his will.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Inn stays shut during winter and ‘pack ice’ season, which some locals will tell you is the most beautiful time of all—for snowmobiling and snowshoeing through the Island’s interior by day, and come evening, getting invited into someone's warm shed for a tipple and a chat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In 2001, the couple, who did not have children, retired to Miami in search of warmer beaches.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The city might be hospitable because humans have reduced the numbers of predators like rats and cats around restaurants and buildings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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With the two-party system less hospitable to third parties, political experts say Democratic Socialists are competing for influence within the Democratic Party – similar to what La Follette did in the Republican Party.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Great white sharks frequently travel north in the summer and south in the winter, a habit experts suspect has to do with preferring more temperate waters.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
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The answer was right under its nose—the original site of Art Basel, the namesake of the companies’ major cultural piece of IP, which also happens to be within the serene borders of Switzerland but in a more temperate Rhineland climate.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For a vehicle celebrated for sipping fuel rather than burning it, that’s a pleasant surprise.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
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Parks rose to fame in her teens, winning the Mercury Prize for her 2021 debut album Collapsed in Sunbeams, a diaristic clutch of pleasant soft-rock songs.—
Aimee Cliff,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon squares Jupiter, pitting your ambitious 10th house against your friendly 7th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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But the financial institutions have begun to crowd out the city’s signature and historically local retail and restaurant-friendly Miracle Mile strip.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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My room had a large bathtub right by the window, a spacious walk-in shower, and Niven Morgan bath products (a nice touch, given that the brand is from Dallas).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
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The company flew Tony to Cupertino and put him up in a nice hotel with a fruit basket waiting in the room.—
Bill Gurley,
Fortune,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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