1
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest
a cordial inquiry about her mother's health
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gracious
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations
a cordial hostess who makes sure everyone is comfortable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
he insisted that a cordial nip of brandy would be just the thing for someone suffering from shock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in tonic
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cordial
Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026
At first the race between the two was cordial, but as Election Day got closer – and more money and attention poured in – the contest between the two Democrats soured.
—Ashley Lopez, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026
Brad Japhe, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
There was bad news for American whiskey, however, which was down by nearly two percent (more than $5 billion) and cordials (down 3.6 percent).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cordial
Adjective
Datebook Picks For the most part, Van Der Beek’s performance is a marvel of cordial, soft-spoken menace.
—Bob Strauss, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Mar. 2026
At first the race between the two was cordial, but as Election Day got closer – and more money and attention poured in – the contest between the two Democrats soured.
—Ashley Lopez, NPR, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
To wit, cordials, shrubs and kombuchas are all made in-house, inspired by seasonality.
—Brad Japhe, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
There was bad news for American whiskey, however, which was down by nearly two percent (more than $5 billion) and cordials (down 3.6 percent).
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cordial
Adjective
-
The Inn stays shut during winter and ‘pack ice’ season, which some locals will tell you is the most beautiful time of all—for snowmobiling and snowshoeing through the Island’s interior by day, and come evening, getting invited into someone's warm shed for a tipple and a chat.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Apr. 2026
-
In 2001, the couple, who did not have children, retired to Miami in search of warmer beaches.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Not a good idea when your intention is to be gracious.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Bottom-liners had also nixed Gehry’s original design for a more gracious lobby with a cafe out front, not the gloomy one installed against his will.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Doing good feels as refreshing as a clean home.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of refreshing prices every night after the kids go to bed, let the apps do the work and notify you when fares drop.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Spinach has the tonic earthiness the season necessitates; lamb is the holy protein of now.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
26 Mar. 2026
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Cocktails include the Rebujito, made with a sherry blend, Spanish melon, lemon, tonic and mint; the Fig Leaf Boulevardier, with Japanese whisky, Campari, Cocchi Rosa and fig leaf liqueur; and the Sea Buckthorn 75, featuring genmaicha gin, sea buckthorn cordial, lemon and Champagne.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Moon squares Jupiter, pitting your ambitious 10th house against your friendly 7th house.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But the financial institutions have begun to crowd out the city’s signature and historically local retail and restaurant-friendly Miracle Mile strip.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The North Atlantic in February is no gentle passage, and conditions aboard a working cargo ship are far from hospitable for wildlife.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
People who hear about HAARP today do so in an information environment that is extremely hospitable to paranoia.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The planned execution of Thomas Creech in 2024 could not be carried out because a suitable vein could not be found to administer lethal drugs.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
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Police have arrested a man in connection with a fatal drug overdose in Fairfield in December.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To help your child stay safe, give their school an Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan signed by your child’s doctor, any school-specific forms required to give your child medicine, and epinephrine to treat potential reactions.—
Dr. Sonja O'Leary,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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Despite the hype, many of the medicines on TrumpRx include brand-name drugs that patients can find cheaper elsewhere — as generics.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cordial. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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