1
as in large
of a size greater than average of its kind
$10,000 is a goodly reward to offer for a missing wedding ring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in considerable
sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention
a goodly number of people gathered to watch the spectacle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lovely
very pleasing to look at
the smartly dressed soldiers marching snappily along made for a goodly sight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 goodly
At a goodly height, the device’s fuel seemed to fail, and the rocket began a slow tumble earthward.
—
Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Sure, fans loved seeing the two stars share the stage for a goodly number of songs.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Even so, the goodly nerds over at Virginia Tech have partnered with the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety (IIHS) to rate 238 bike helmets using the STAR evaluation system.
—Chris Cona, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
All-Black groups got some money, but groups that had a goodly amount of white liberals got much more.
—Garrett Morris, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for goodly
Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 28 July 2025
Sure, fans loved seeing the two stars share the stage for a goodly number of songs.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 30 May 2025
Even so, the goodly nerds over at Virginia Tech have partnered with the Insurance Institute for Highways Safety (IIHS) to rate 238 bike helmets using the STAR evaluation system.
—Chris Cona, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
All-Black groups got some money, but groups that had a goodly amount of white liberals got much more.
—Garrett Morris, TIME, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for goodly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for goodly
Adjective
-
Many players also opt for deferrals and large signing bonuses (as opposed to a higher salary) to avoid paying income tax in certain states.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Video shows a car striking a large trash bin before slamming into the building.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And, in instances where the technology may find mutations for which there’s no clear treatment to offer, there is considerable debate about whether testing should even occur.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Before redistricting, that seat, the 49th Congressional District, had been the region’s most competitive, and with Desmond in the race, Republicans had vowed to direct considerable resources to beating Levin.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, all of the discourse is taking place on the lovely, totally non-toxic place that is the internet.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And your answers were so lovely.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While primarily based in Los Angeles, Alec has maintained more visible ties to Michigan real estate, including a sizable lakefront home along Lake Michigan built in 2013.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But there is still a sizeable camp that warn against trading this moment, saying saying equities have to consolidate a bit further before this chapter closes.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rochester, for example, spends about 250,000 pounds ($330,000) a year on music, a substantial outlay for a provincial cathedral but less than some.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Baird and Dunaway reported seeing more frequent cases of telogen effluvium in people who have lost substantial weight on GLP-1 medications.—
Nicole Hernandez,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
So much of what Diaspora is doing is making sure that the farmers’ spices are getting to you in a beautiful, fresh state.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But simply naming the great fear and sharing it with the millions of watchers in living rooms and hotels and airport lobbies was a trial almost too painful to contemplate.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
No substitutions for prize except by Sponsor, in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be substituted.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Leon was seeking gender reassignment surgery, which come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Leon is seeking gender confirmation surgery and his needs come to play a significant role in the climax of the hostage crisis precipitated by his partner.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Goodly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/goodly. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
