1
as in melodic
having a pleasantly flowing quality suggestive of music
the mellow tones of an old violin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
a teacher with a mellow approach to classroom discipline mellow soaps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pleasant
having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations
mellow and unflappable, the office manager greatly contributes to the work environment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unaffected
having a relaxed, casual manner
a mellow crowd sat on the grass and enjoyed the music coming from the band shell
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to mature
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 mellow
Lisa Jhung, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Things could be settling into a more mellow vibe.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 12 Mar. 2026
Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Chill the shot in the refrigerator before taking it to help mellow flavors.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mellow
Adjective
The 3mm lugs provide secure footing on mellow dirt and gravel surfaces, while still allowing the shoe to run smoothly on roads—there’s no slapping sound or feel of hard rubber hitting pavement, or clunkiness from toothy lugs meant for super-technical terrain.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026
Things could be settling into a more mellow vibe.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
The British public may also be starting to mellow on China.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
Chill the shot in the refrigerator before taking it to help mellow flavors.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mellow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mellow
Adjective
-
Kaye’s style was distinctive in its emphasis on melodic and rhythmically active bass lines.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
-
When workshopping the material, however, Psalmayene 24 could feel Lewis’s life begging for a melodic treatment and pivoted to a musical.—
Thomas Floyd,
Washington Post,
31 Mar. 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
-
For a vehicle celebrated for sipping fuel rather than burning it, that’s a pleasant surprise.—
Sponsored Content,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
There’s no doubt that with EVs, drivers are unaffected by the volatile swing of global oil markets.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Garbage pickup will be unaffected on Easter Sunday, as there is regularly no pickup collection on Sundays.—
Isa Almeida,
Oklahoman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Television audiences have matured since the 2000s as well.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The debt was backloaded, with most of it maturing in 2031.—
Bill Conway,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Written by Italian playwright Stefano Massini as an epic poem and adapted for the stage by Ben Power, the play’s language is lyrical and gorgeously descriptive.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
David George Haskell is a biologist acclaimed for his lyrical explorations of the living world.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The formula includes soothing hydrators such as glycerin, dimethicone, and glyceryl behenate, plus antioxidants (vitamin E and C derivatives) to help calm and protect the skin.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The design is modern and clean-lined with soaring peaked ceilings, lots of dark wood, soothing white and neutral accents and, importantly, private outdoor space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Not a good idea when your intention is to be gracious.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Mellow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mellow. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
