Definition of handsomenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective handsome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of handsome are beautiful, comely, fair, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of handsome?

While the synonyms beautiful and handsome are close in meaning, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When could fair be used to replace handsome?

The synonyms fair and handsome are sometimes interchangeable, but fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another, in the sense of handsome?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

When would pretty be a good substitute for handsome?

The words pretty and handsome can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 handsome The Lifestyle Ultra Soundbar is a pretty handsome piece of hardware. Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026 This handsome green climber is often used to cover fences and rock walls. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 Pull out your credit card to shop elevated bedroom furniture finds like a stylish frame to sleep in on the weekends or a handsome dresser to store your trove of winter sweaters. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 14 May 2026 Founded by Scott Sartiano, the handsome downtown restaurateur, the club stretched across 20,000 square feet over two floors, with workspaces, multiple bars, an omakase room and event spaces. George Gurley, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for handsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome
Adjective
  • The area One of the most beautiful areas to visit in Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is very popular during the high summer season between December and March, attracting many trekkers to hike the famous W or Q circuits.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • Allen, who has racked up more than 2,300 wins in his career, said many in the industry lament the loss of a beautiful grass course.
    CBS News, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • The graceful curve of a corner kick.
    Miceal Chamberlain, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026
  • They can be filled with a cool, soothing, graceful fern or bright blooms that celebrate the heat of summer.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • The current outbreak is already larger than the past two Bundibugyo surges, Roberts said.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 18 May 2026
  • This is as important, and as boring, in theory, as picking a fund for your 401(k), yet, improbably, the draft has become one of the largest events on the sporting calendar.
    Dan Greene, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Steak Pies and Boba (Australia) Costco has a sizable and growing presence down under, and fans are drawn to the chain's unique Australian offerings unavailable elsewhere.
    Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2026
  • Palmer has been a shining success despite this season’s struggles, but frequent injuries have called into question the sizeable transfer fees paid for Lavia and Gittens.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Making the ad tier feel more attractive to subscribers in that way arguably does something very important.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • Through a barrage of advertising and on-campus information sessions, investment banking sold itself as the most attractive, lucrative, and secure job for top students.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The bottoms don’t just feel more elegant, but are a quick way to make outfits appear upscale whether they’re styled with a T-shirt and sneakers or a button-up shirt and ballet flats.
    Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 16 May 2026
  • The palate is velvety and elegant, balancing weight with restraint.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • Trust develops through a substantial body of online content, including articles, podcasts, videos, and books.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • The unions, which represent locomotive engineers, machinists, signalmen and other train workers, have said more substantial raises were warranted to help workers keep up with inflation and rising living costs.
    Philip Marcelo, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Adjective
  • The decision to run it back has been met with considerable skepticism — and reasonably so.
    Mike DeFabo, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • Also, again, the last one also very considerable amount of money on arms sales.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Handsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsome. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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