1
a
: appreciative of benefits received
b
: expressing gratitude
grateful thanks
2
b
: pleasing by reason of comfort supplied or discomfort alleviated
gratefulness
noun
Examples of grateful in a Sentence
The voice quacking at the other end of the line sounded surprised and grateful—a young man's eager voice, thankful for the sudden interruption on an otherwise empty afternoon.
—
Paul Theroux, Granta, Summer 1992
I didn't have to be in love with the man to do this, and my poor body'd probably be grateful to get fed, since it'd been on such a starvation diet.
—Terry McMillan, Waiting to Exhale, 1992
Sergeant James Smith was a company clerk, which meant that he carried his commander's maps, Edwards was grateful to learn.
—Tom Clancy, Red Storm Rising, 1986
I am grateful for the Latin I took and for the emphasis on English grammar, which seems to have faded from the curriculum.
—John Updike, Hugging the Shore, (1983) 1984
The college sent us a grateful acknowledgment of our donation.
I'm grateful to you for your help.
He's grateful for the attention.
Paul Theroux, Granta, Summer 1992
I didn't have to be in love with the man to do this, and my poor body'd probably be grateful to get fed, since it'd been on such a starvation diet.
—Terry McMillan, Waiting to Exhale, 1992
Sergeant James Smith was a company clerk, which meant that he carried his commander's maps, Edwards was grateful to learn.
—Tom Clancy, Red Storm Rising, 1986
I am grateful for the Latin I took and for the emphasis on English grammar, which seems to have faded from the curriculum.
—John Updike, Hugging the Shore, (1983) 1984
The college sent us a grateful acknowledgment of our donation.
I'm grateful to you for your help.
He's grateful for the attention.
Recent Examples on the Web
Within days of the first flames, the shelter — which was overwhelmed by donations of food bowls, blankets and large crates from grateful residents — was packed to the rafters with animals.
—Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Chris Martin is grateful that Coldplay's Indian fans don't hold British colonialism against him.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Evacuees may feel incredibly grateful for their hosts’ support while at the same time feeling resentful of their more stable living circumstances.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Next steps Twelve months after that Sundance premiere and on the eve of the Oscar nominations, Peppiatt is grateful that the film has resonated with audiences all across the globe.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grateful 
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Johnny Dodd, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
Chris Martin is grateful that Coldplay's Indian fans don't hold British colonialism against him.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Evacuees may feel incredibly grateful for their hosts’ support while at the same time feeling resentful of their more stable living circumstances.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Next steps Twelve months after that Sundance premiere and on the eve of the Oscar nominations, Peppiatt is grateful that the film has resonated with audiences all across the globe.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grateful
Dictionary Entries Near grateful
Cite this Entry
“Grateful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grateful. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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