Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective comely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comely are beautiful, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of comely?

The words beautiful and comely can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

When would fair be a good substitute for comely?

Although the words fair and comely have much in common, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than comely?

In some situations, the words handsome and comely are roughly equivalent. However, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another, in the sense of comely?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

Where would pretty be a reasonable alternative to comely?

The meanings of pretty and comely largely overlap; however, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

Example 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 comely Instead, his big conversion comes later, after Rafael takes a fist to the face for dancing with a local tough guy’s comely fiancée. Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Aug. 2023 Connecticut-raised Troy’s debut novel, Floating, imagines a dinky, dusty town in Arizona where its comely protagonist, Ruby, falls in love with her husband’s estranged, cowboy brother. Hazlitt, 4 May 2022 The comely stars, who are excellent at trolling each other online, are already parents to daughters James, 4, and Inez, 2. Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2019 Furthermore, the plant is topped by comely flowers, which in time proudly adorned the button-holes of no less than Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, in their day intentionally marketing the potato to a then-skeptical proletariat. Bill St. John, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for comely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for comely
Adjective
  • The case coincides with suspicious activity occurring near the border where Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) — who used to work for the Navajo Tribal Police with Chee and Leaphorn and had a relationship with Chee — now gets drawn to cocky and handsome border agent Ivan Muños (Alex Meraz).
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Casting is an expensive multistep process, though, and the same factories can furnish façades for new construction by the more straightforward technique of extrusion, yielding handsome but less ornate panels.
    Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Take a look at more below: Walmart, a big-box retailer popular among a wide range of consumers, has been especially attractive amid concerns about inflation, high grocery prices and the direction of the U.S. economy.
    Pia Singh, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The mule’s pointed open toe design, too, will look supremely attractive when peeking out from your wide-leg trousers or pleated maxi skirt.
    Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Butte is located halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks for convenient access to outdoor activities and beautiful places worth exploring.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Rather, this sensible, sensitive, and sometimes quite beautiful portrayal of modern animal husbandry wants to reveal the secretive process of how meat lands on your plate.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Sun and Moon looked lovely, had a wild story focused on alternate worlds and family drama, and some of the coolest Pokémon ever introduced in the series.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Mary then hosted a lovely tea for all of us, which was equally impressive.
    Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In December 2024, the brand opened a cute hut that could have been plucked out of a Disney cartoon on the beach of the St. Regis Kanai Resort in Riviera Maya.
    Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Trendy cuffed denim and new takes on the brand’s beloved barrel jeans are in the mix, but that’s only the beginning; cute shorts, skirts, and capris are also up for grabs (and starting to sell out).
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Transferring everyday items from their bulky, visually stimulating packaging into pretty containers is one way to organize your home while maintaining your design style.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Planting in the wrong season won't lead to pretty blooms.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Gothenburg locals recognize this spot as a landmark in the city and a gorgeous structure designed by Swedish architect Victor von Gegerfelt in 1874.
    Brittany Leitner, StyleCaster, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The lightweight top features light embroidery around the neckline that adds gorgeous texture, and ruffles around the sleeves are a subtle detail that elevates the shirt to the next level.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Amsterdam is certainly a must-see city, with its charming canal ring, the Rijksmuseum and the moving Anne Frank House.
    Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • It’s made from weather-resistant aluminum that looks better with age, and the delicate floral scrollwork provides charming details.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Comely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comely. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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