Synonyms of good-natured

good-natured

adjective

ˈgu̇d-ˈnā-chərd 

as in gracious

having an easygoing and pleasing manner especially in social situations

the guests at the party were a good-natured bunch

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word good-natured distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of good-natured are amiable, complaisant, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," 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

Where would amiable be a reasonable alternative to good-natured?

The synonyms amiable and good-natured are sometimes interchangeable, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When could complaisant be used to replace good-natured?

The meanings of complaisant and good-natured largely overlap; however, complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

When can obliging be used instead of good-natured?

The words obliging and good-natured can be used in similar contexts, but obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of good-natured

Amid his calls for peace among all the people of the world, social media users across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and other platforms reacted with some good-natured quips. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 May 2025

While his signature full head of hair sprung back to life after several washings, Swanson expects some residual good-natured ribbing from his Cubs teammates, as the first-place club looks to turn 2025 into its own potentially memorable winning campaign. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2025

Filmmaker, actor, writer and good-natured provocateur John Waters turned 79 this week. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

Like the 81-year old nun, humor and good-natured ribbing characterized the evening festivities. —Candace Oehler, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025