Synonyms of amiable

amiable

adjective

ˈā-mē-ə-bəl 

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

• gracious
• pleasant
• nice
• sweet
• affable
• friendly
• agreeable
• good-natured
• genial
• cheerful
• delightful
• good-tempered
• attractive
• mellow
• clever
• polite
• well-disposed
• kind
• gentle
• thoughtful
• amicable
• benign
• cordial
• neighborly
• civil
• enjoyable
• courteous
• cheery
• sociable
• considerate
• sunny
• likable
• conversable
• companionable
• likeable
• amenable
• glad
• obliging
• accommodating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unpleasant
• disagreeable
• ungracious
• unamiable
• surly
• unkind
• boorish
• rude
• discourteous
• irascible
• irritable
• unsociable
• inconsiderate
• unmannerly
• cantankerous
• uncivil
• impolite
• petulant
• peevish
• ungenial
• grumpy
• snappish
• grouchy
• dyspeptic
• ill-natured
• bilious
• contrary
• churlish
• choleric
• cranky
• touchy
• ill-tempered
• testy
• fussy
• crabby
• querulous
• contentious
• ornery
• argumentative
• ill-mannered
• bearish
• unattractive
• ill-humored
• unappealing
• sour
• quick-tempered
• vinegary

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of amiable

That would be Britain Covey, an amiable, 5-foot-8 wide receiver and punt returner who’s so diminutive that he’s been denied entry into players’ parking lots in the past and recently was mistaken for a member of the Rams’ front office. —Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025

Unassuming, amiable attitudes were the overriding style of the evening. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2025

The casting is incredible: Byrne is incandescent with pain and anger; Conan O’Brien plays her drolly deadpan therapist and colleague; and A$AP Rocky is her amiable neighbor and drug enabler at the hotel. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 21 July 2025

Sam Neill and Rosemarie DeWitt round out the cast as the seasoned head park ranger who looks out for Turner and Turner’s amiable ex-wife, respectively. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025

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