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 The amiable Yerkes, who started out in the circus and was a skilled trapeze aerialist and tightrope walker, also plummeted from a helicopter through a roof in Breakout (1975), starring Charles Bronson. —

Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2024 Emhoff and O’Rourke made amiable chitchat with the cashiers; O’Rourke recommended the Dr. Pepper shake. —

Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 There was something about knowing him as this very amiable, humorous gentleman, and yet there felt like there was more underneath that surface. —

Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024 An amiable, Honda Civic–driving, bird-watching Everyman in shorts and glasses, Gary somehow turns out to be the perfect fake assassin. —

Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for amiable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiable

Adjective

Even with this common sense stowed away somewhere in our brains, gracious hosts can't help but want everything to be as close to perfect as possible for their guests (yes, even in the rooms no one will enter).

Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 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