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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of amiable All that derivation might have been a glaring liability in lesser hands, but Worley has adroitly assembled the mega-mash-up into an engaging whole, with the help of an amiable cast and a crack technical team. —

Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2024 Rubens, the amiable, apparently unconcerned father played by Selton Mello, is an engineer. —

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025 With his Midwestern charm, fondness for diner coffee and pie, and a daily routine steeped in simplicity, Lynch seemed more like an amiable neighbor than the mastermind behind some of cinema’s profoundest nightmare fuel. —

Darryn King, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025 And holding it all together are the amiable presenters, Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding. —

Sezin Devi Koehler, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for amiable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for amiable

Adjective

My colleagues were more than gracious enough to take some time out of their day to taste-test copious amounts of chocolate.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2025
The Queen was impeccably gracious in her victory, playing down the historic moment.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025