GOOD-NATUREDLY Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

good-naturedly

adverb

Definition of good-naturedly

as in amiably

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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 good-naturedly Some of the best scenes are just Owen, Joe, and Terry sharing a meal at their favorite diner, talking openly—and good-naturedly busting each other’s chops—about whatever happens to be going on in their lives. — Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026 Sigmund, the artistic director of Stillwater’s Zephyr Theatre, joked good-naturedly. — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 Regardless, everyone approves of Kiana, with Zack good-naturedly parodying her sunglasses and the girls encouraging him to lock it down despite the tumultuous relationships their friend group seems to attract. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026 Australian screen and stage veteran Kate Fitzpatrick plays Becky, a feisty grandmother whose role is so familiar that her banter with geeky Matt across the aisle (Richard Croughley) will later include him good-naturedly dropping a Shelley Winters reference. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026 Evgeni Malkin was good-naturedly jabbing the media for asking about his future in Pittsburgh. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 McCartney good-naturedly acknowledged the seating arrangement. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2026 Before the game, Wood good-naturedly chatted it up with fans of Montana, which annually travels well. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Bertinelli, meanwhile, could be seen laughing good-naturedly nearby, but did not correct the actor. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for good-naturedly

Adverb

Maud Ogilvie smiled amiably at Flynn, as if waiting for a challenge.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
One recent evening, the horror director Oren Peli stopped by one such boozer, in an alleyway off the Strand, looked around amiably, and ordered a Coke.

— Anna Russell, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of amiably

Adverb

The camera pans across images of Boston’s historic Fenway Park and a grim-looking Schumer, contrasting those shots with footage of Collins cheerfully hobnobbing with Maine voters.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
Lon Cheng, a Cambodian vendor who has lived in Thailand for over 20 years, cheerfully called to customers and danced along with the music behind his vegetable stall.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheerfully

Adverb

Part of what fueled the ups and downs was the sense that Paul Baker is genially open to whatever life might throw at him — a personality type engineered to drive the acting-out Issa and the neurotic Anton to distraction.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Waiting to address the group, Larson genially reminisced with a retiree, Joe Suggs, one of his opponents in 1998.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026

Definition of genially

Adverb

And Rob Sand, the affably idiosyncratic state auditor who didn’t have a challenger, is officially up for governor.

— Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 June 2026
Which means right about now, the island is buzzing with thousands of MAMILs (middle aged men in lycra) and affably amateur Brits are arriving by the planeload.

— Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

Definition of affably

Adverb

In 2016, Brexiteers imagined that other European countries would follow their example and cheerily recover absolute sovereignty as liberated nation-states.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Ashley Graham, co-founder of Lucci Lambrusco, cheerily celebrates the brand at Pizzeria Portofino in Chicago on July 15.

— Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of cheerily

Adverb

Thank people for every piece of feedback, and treat each slip as a chance to delight by correcting graciously.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
The Close Encounters director looked back on a mock trial Sheindlin so graciously presided over in honor of his superfan mother’s 90th birthday.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of graciously

Adverb

The actor played the role of the sweetly endearing mouse puppet, a character beloved by children all over the world — and, apparently, Ed Sullivan.

— Kaja Andric, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Witty and fast-paced but still sweetly skeptical of deep connection, the project’s generally snappy script comes alive through Thompson’s impressive ambition and obvious love for strangers.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of sweetly

Browse Nearby Words

good-natured

good-naturedly

good-naturedness

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“Good-naturedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/good-naturedly. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of good-naturedly

adverb

Example Sentences

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