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
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 genial
Although Silverman’s play has been kicking around regional theaters for the last decade, the role of Sharon seems tailor-made for Farrow’s wry and genial presence.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The famously genial atmosphere of White’s sets is one reason why so many top stars wanted to snag a role—though perhaps not the main one.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Yet beneath this genial surface lay a boundless imagination capable of conjuring deeply unsettling worlds, the living embodiment of his recurring theme: the hidden strangeness lurking beneath the ordinary.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
The famously genial atmosphere of White’s sets is one reason why so many top stars wanted to snag a role—though perhaps not the main one.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
Yet beneath this genial surface lay a boundless imagination capable of conjuring deeply unsettling worlds, the living embodiment of his recurring theme: the hidden strangeness lurking beneath the ordinary.
—Darryn King, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genial
Adjective
-
But instead of being gracious, Trump booted Zelenskyy out of the White House, leaving the hero’s lunch on a tray in the hall, torpedoing his existential fight to save his battered country and Ukrainian lives.—
Maureen Dowd,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Here’s a gracious one-bedroom in North Park Slope, close to the Park and Grand Army Plaza, with an elegant layout: a big foyer, with a large living room on one side, the bedroom on the other, and a kitchen in the middle.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
However, the Tigers seem to have set themselves up for warmer days ahead.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Cover and let rise in a warm place (75°F to 80°F) until doubled in size, about 1 hour.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The revelations add to the increasing evidence that the red planet once had a warmer, wetter climate as well as an ocean that covered one-third of the Martian surface — conditions that might have created a hospitable environment for life.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
-
These adaptations can include constructing flood-resistant infrastructure, developing technological innovations, or even migrating to more hospitable regions.—
Jenny Lehmann,
Discover Magazine,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The 2025 edition is being held in a temperate climate in the middle of the European season, where many of the best players are based.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
-
But Bella Hadid has returned from the (marginally) more temperate Texas with a sartorial plan of action.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This driver encompasses the literal reasons for scented products—think masking unpleasant odors, creating a pleasant scent for your home, and making up for a lack of fresh air.—
Isabella Milano,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2025
-
My experience with the Phone 3a Pro has been mostly pleasant.—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The island is also home to a wide selection of family friendly all-inclusive resorts, including the luxury all-inclusive Barceló Aruba.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The 20-year-old was called up to the Trinidad & Tobago national team in December for a friendly against Saudi Arabia.—
Braidon Nourse,
The Denver Post,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The group was equally adept with dancefloor fodder and gentle ballads.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
-
These exercises can help mitigate the effects Going for a walk is one of the gentlest and healthiest forms of exercise, Gjergja said.—
Melanie Radzicki McManus,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Why is the knee-jerk reaction to say something horrible rather than to say something nice?—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The Boomers’ American Dream of working hard will provide for a nice house with a white picket fence, new cars, a family, financial security, and pensions.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to genial
Cite this Entry
“Genial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genial. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share