grace 1 of 2

1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance in Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables, Jean Valjean's decision to go to jail for the man mistaken for him is a grace that goes beyond thanks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
as in advantage
a quality that gives something special worth as if taste were not enough, red wine has the added grace of being healthy for the heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grace

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grace differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grace are charity, clemency, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is charity a more appropriate choice than grace?

In some situations, the words charity and grace are roughly equivalent. However, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is it sensible to use clemency instead of grace?

While in some cases nearly identical to grace, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

In what contexts can leniency take the place of grace?

While the synonyms leniency and grace are close in meaning, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than grace?

The words mercy and grace can be used in similar contexts, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

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 grace
Noun
Moving on suggests erasure, while moving with allows space — for growth, for grace, for gratitude. Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Mar. 2025 Later in the ep, Paige says Kyle is being saved from a verbal beatdown by the grace of Amanda Batula. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
Get those feeders ready because hummingbirds will soon grace us with their annual presence. Kristal Dixon, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 While the model would go on to grace the wrist of James Bond (several times), this was not just a watch for a secret agent—this was a watch for a serious diver. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace
Noun
  • Katherine deals with everything from sexism to ageism, while also having to learn a few lessons about kindness and work-life balance along the way.
    James Mercadante, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Magazine, the actor, 55, said kindness is key in Hollywood.
    Sharareh Drury, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Coco Hotel - Copenhagen, Denmark Parisian elegance meets contemporary Danish design in this luxury boutique hotel that was named the best hotel in Scandinavia in 20203 by Travel+Leisure magazine.
    Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Minimal pragmatism meets elegance with this season’s luxe comfort sandals.
    Laura Lajiness Kaupke, refinery29.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Cybercriminals understand this mindset and take full advantage of it.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The Pacers have won five in a row, leapfrogging both the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference for the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Featuring six unique designs adorned with rhinestones and dazzling details, these accessories—from purses to wallets— showcase the iconic PEEPS Bunny and Chick, adding a playful surprise to your Easter ensemble.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Enjoy the Hill Country Scenery and Trails Both locals and travelers love to frequent the stunning blue waters at Jacob’s Well Natural Area and Blue Hole Regional Park, which offers 126 acres including shady trails and a crisp, clear swimming hole adorned with rope swings.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • My waking hours were at the mercy of the memoir, a moving account of the loss of her first child, Simone.
    Meg Zukin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Cryptocurrency The crypto market remains at the mercy of overall market sentiment, swinging along with stocks on Trump's tariff whims However, business intelligence company Stratagy remains a buyer.
    Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • No one does anything in these paintings except turn their back on the viewer and stare forlornly at the world in all its sublime majesty, which Friedrich suggests is a mirror for the world within.
    Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025
  • His every soaring note was an homage to their majesty.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • After a rapid redesign – and with the city's enthusiastic blessing – it was built as the nation's first fire resilient community, a distinction touted by KB Home Coastal and confirmed by insurance groups.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • However, there is a distinction between challenging a founder to think critically and tearing them down.
    David Nour, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Kids can take a photo with the Easter Bunny, get their faces painted, decorate cookies and participate in egg hunts.
    Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The area was decorated with a Palestinian flag hanging by the counter and string lights and crescent moons hanging from the awnings.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grace. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grace

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!