GOOD-NATURED Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'good-natured' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of good-natured are amiable , complaisant , and obliging . While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," 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: Where would 'amiable' be a reasonable alternative to 'good-natured'?

The synonyms amiable and good-natured are sometimes interchangeable, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with. // an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

Q: When could 'complaisant' be used to replace 'good-natured'?

The meanings of complaisant and good-natured largely overlap; however, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness. // was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

Q: When can 'obliging' be used instead of 'good-natured'?

The words obliging and good-natured can be used in similar contexts, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful. // our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

good-natured

adjective

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd

Definition of good-natured next

as in gracious

having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations the guests at the party were a good-natured bunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word good-natured distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of good-natured are amiable, complaisant, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," 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

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

The synonyms amiable and good-natured are sometimes interchangeable, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When could complaisant be used to replace good-natured?

The meanings of complaisant and good-natured largely overlap; however, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

When can obliging be used instead of good-natured?

The words obliging and good-natured can be used in similar contexts, 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 good-natured The Witch Hazel introduced in those shorts is a good-natured, gossipy witch who takes pride in her child-cooking and potion-brewing skills. —

Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024 The comedian concluded his response with a good-natured plea to the UCLA theater department. —

Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024 People will compare him to Ted Bundy, but Ted Bundy was really good at pretending to be this good-natured, all-American guy, and Rodney Alcala really didn’t even pretend. —

Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Oct. 2024 There's also a new Texas setting, as the struggling family moves into the McAllister family home with good-natured father Jim (Will Sasso) and critical mom Audrey (Rachel Bay Jones). —

Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for good-natured

Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-natured

Adjective

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
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