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Synonym Chooser

How is the word sociable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of sociable are affable, cordial, genial, and gracious. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

In what contexts can affable take the place of sociable?

Although the words affable and sociable have much in common, affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

When could cordial be used to replace sociable?

While in some cases nearly identical to sociable, cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

Where would genial be a reasonable alternative to sociable?

In some situations, the words genial and sociable are roughly equivalent. However, genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

a genial companion with a ready quip

When is gracious a more appropriate choice than sociable?

While the synonyms gracious and sociable are close in meaning, gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

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 sociable Achievements aside, Ryan Wallace was remembered for his radiating kindness and generosity and for having a highly sociable personality with the ability to bring people together. Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Mar. 2024 Not all dogs are the same, some are more sociable than others, but there are different types of day care to accommodate all types of canines. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024 Celebrities looking for privacy didn’t always make the most sociable neighbors. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Aug. 2024 As sociable creatures, crows often form large communal roosts on winter nights, sometimes gathering in the tens of thousands to sleep on tree branches or power lines. Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sociable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sociable
Adjective
  • Heading into the summer, the suggestion from some inside Newcastle is that the outgoing business this month should give the club a greater chance of retaining those star players going forward — and perhaps even afford some capacity to try to tie Isak down to a new deal.
    Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Many in the Georgian opposition, and some abroad, now look to outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili for leadership.
    Anthony Borden, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Samia is quick to accept the break-up, even gracious.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But this gracious view has been taken to the extreme by some Americans who view Russia as a benign actor that is either incapable, uninterested or unwilling to harm the American people.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • As Derek Thompson wrote earlier this month in The Atlantic, more and more Americans are retreating from in-person social interactions, turning instead to smartphones and other devices in search of intimacy.
    Maytal Eyal, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Lawnmower parents may insert themselves into their child’s friendships and relationships with others and intrude on social issues without allowing the child to resolve problems independently.
    Jazmin Towe, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The upper chamber has been slightly more hospitable terrain for Trump skeptics within the party than the House.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
  • To me, the ending leaves as an open question whether Tóth has retreated to illusory safe ground or found a more hospitable home.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Do it in person, or, if that's not possible, leave a snack on your porch or a friendly thank-you note like these neighbors did.
    Kendall Malinchock, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2025
  • View More Funny, cheerfully provocative, at once friendly and sharp-elbowed: That’s Smith in person, and also in her copious fictional output (13 novels and six story collections over the past 30 years).
    Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sociable

Cite this Entry

“Sociable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sociable. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sociable

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