AMIABLE Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'amiable' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of amiable are complaisant , good-natured , and obliging . While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with. // an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

Q: When is 'complaisant' a more appropriate choice than 'amiable'?

The words complaisant and amiable can be used in similar contexts, but complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness. // was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Q: Where would 'good-natured' be a reasonable alternative to 'amiable'?

While the synonyms good-natured and amiable are close in meaning, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon. // a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

Q: When could 'obliging' be used to replace 'amiable'?

The synonyms obliging and amiable are sometimes interchangeable, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful. // our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

amiable

adjective

ˈā-mē-ə-bəl

Definition of amiable next

as in gracious

having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations the owner of the inn is an amiable, talkative widow who treats guests like family

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word amiable distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of amiable are complaisant, good-natured, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When is complaisant a more appropriate choice than amiable?

The words complaisant and amiable can be used in similar contexts, but complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Where would good-natured be a reasonable alternative to amiable?

While the synonyms good-natured and amiable are close in meaning, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

When could obliging be used to replace amiable?

The synonyms obliging and amiable are sometimes interchangeable, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

Examples 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 amiable Donning a headset microphone, pop singer-style, Sting was an amiable master of ceremonies, introducing songs with personal anecdotes and recalling his earliest trips to Detroit with the Police. —

Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 18 Sep. 2024 Hale was cast as one of the villa’s few remaining servants, a bumbling but amiable steward named Sirisco. —

Shannon Keating, Vulture, 18 July 2024 Although some leagues were more amiable to streaming since the last time DFL negotiated media rights, the media and tech landscape has changed dramatically in the last six years. —

Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 19 Sep. 2024 The Half Moon Bay weigh-off had started in 1974, when the California town barely edged out Circleville, Ohio, in an amiable contest for the fictitious title of pumpkin capital of the world. —

Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amiable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiable

Adjective

Jonathan and his team were all very, very, very gracious.

Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
Lucas Oil tweeted a video of the large, inflatable bracelet being hung while thanking their BFF Caesars Dome for the gracious gift.

Kurtcia Collazo, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024