graceful

adjective

ˈgrās-fəl How to pronounce graceful (audio)
Definition of gracefulnext
1
as in agile
moving easily the graceful ballerina effortlessly leapt across the stage

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elegant
having or showing elegance sat down in the old plantation home's very graceful parlor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 graceful Urbanie Lucero’s choreography and movement direction maintain the production’s graceful poise. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 From curved pulls to squiggly handles, and even a style finished off with a metal tassel, these operate as graceful accessories to enhance old and new furnishings. — Lori Keong, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2026 This means incorporating robust frameworks that prevent threats such as cyberattacks while facilitating rapid recovery and graceful degradation during system-wide failures. — Miroslav Katsarov, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Ohio State might have college football’s finest talent with Jeremiah Smith, the graceful yet propulsive receiver atop The Athletic’s player rankings. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for graceful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graceful
  1. agile
  2. elegant
  3. nimble
  4. handsome
  5. balletic
  6. fine
  7. gracile
  8. majestic
Adjective
  • Richard’s agile voice leads the way, shifting as often as the music.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • CFOs need to allocate capital toward agile digital invoicing and instant payment collections at the point of care.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of agile
Adjective
  • The elegant and spacious suites feature terraces with sun loungers and panoramic ocean views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Working with the local firm Dvira Interiors, the owners turned the 12,000-square-foot residence into an elegant home that takes advantage of refined touches like ornate decorative moldings and brushed bronze and satin gold fixtures.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • There was the Dolphins’ play of the day that ultimately wasn’t — a nimble escape from pressure and a dart to Chris Bell, who would have scored a 68-yard TD if one of his toes hadn’t grazed the sideline.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In her college days, Livia’s gift enlivens her nimble fingertips so that can take on the toughest of compositions.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of nimble
Adjective
  • Elsewhere, dark-wood bas reliefs and miles of Norwegian green marble (Enigma Verde Lapponia) are the handsome hallmarks of design studio Autoban (famous for London’s Duck & Rice and Baku airport’s extraordinary makeover).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Alessi 5009/15 Bottle Coaster Looking for a handsome housewarming gift?
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of handsome
Adjective
  • Atwell displays a balletic athleticism while Hiddleston is all enthusiastic limbs and snake hips.
    — Zing Tsjeng, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The combat scenes, frequently pitting Latif’s sharpened steel against more popular American weaponry, are staged with whirling verve, wit and, best of all, balletic coherence.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of balletic
Adjective
  • Thinner fibers would allow researchers to embed more sensing elements into garments, potentially capturing finer details of body movement.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The new songs on Live at Carnegie Hall are some of Winter’s very finest.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of fine
Adjective
  • Alvarezsaurs were predominantly small, with stubby but powerful forelimbs, long and gracile hindlimbs and lightly built skulls.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Hawkins misplaced horns and spikes, and some of his robust four-legged dinosaurs were actually gracile bipeds.
    — Yannic Rack, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Aug. 2023
Definition of gracile
Adjective
  • Prepare to come within an arm’s reach of majestic elephants who silently mill through camp to say hello nearly every afternoon while grazing and seeking shade.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • There were handheld American flags on skinny sticks, midsize ones to display on a wall and majestic formal flags adorned with silky gold fringe.
    — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of majestic

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graced
graceful
gracefulness
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Cite this Entry

“Graceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graceful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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