COMELY Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'comely' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comely are beautiful , fair , handsome , lovely , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When is it sensible to use 'beautiful' instead of 'comely'?

The words beautiful and comely can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: When would 'fair' be a good substitute for 'comely'?

Although the words fair and comely have much in common, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

Q: When might 'handsome' be a better fit than 'comely'?

In some situations, the words handsome and comely are roughly equivalent. However, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

Q: How do 'lovely' and 'beautiful' relate to one another, in the sense of 'comely'?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite. // a lovely melody

Q: Where would 'pretty' be a reasonable alternative to 'comely'?

The meanings of pretty and comely largely overlap; however, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

comely

adjective

ˈkəm-lē

Definition of comely

as in handsome

very pleasing to look at a brood of comely children that any parent would be proud to claim

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective comely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of comely are beautiful, fair, handsome, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of comely?

The words beautiful and comely can be used in similar contexts, but beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

When would fair be a good substitute for comely?

Although the words fair and comely have much in common, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When might handsome be a better fit than comely?

In some situations, the words handsome and comely are roughly equivalent. However, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

How do lovely and beautiful relate to one another, in the sense of comely?

Lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

Where would pretty be a reasonable alternative to comely?

The meanings of pretty and comely largely overlap; however, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

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 comely The translator need only find the right verbal stones and install them in comely sentences, in cadences that mirror the author’s own, and Mishima’s voice will emerge. — Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024 Here is the story of a comely girl, a mulatto, Margaret Toogood, Maggy. — Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 Instead, his big conversion comes later, after Rafael takes a fist to the face for dancing with a local tough guy’s comely fiancée. — Peter Debruge, Variety, 23 Aug. 2023 Chin picks up a slide in comely tones of gray, brown, and off-white. — Karen Wright, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019 See All Example Sentences for comely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comely

Adjective

The tower stands, a handsome ruin and a relic of a more optimistic age.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026
On the eve of her 30th birthday, a rare night out leads her to Boyd Davenport (Noah Fearnley), handsome, heir to a billionaire family fortune and Nashville’s most eligible bachelor.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Those figures could make efficiency retrofits attractive as marine fuel costs and emissions requirements rise.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of attractive

Adjective

Arguably, the most beautiful version of this trend right now is the love-layers cut.

— Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
The meltwater pouring off Bråsvellbreen like waterfalls, though breathtakingly beautiful, was another sobering reminder of the consequences of global warming.

— Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of beautiful

Adjective

The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
McGraw gave a lovely tribute to Parton via social media this week.

— David Wysong, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

But don’t let the cute style fool you—this look is super practical, too.

— Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 29 Aug. 2026
Continue down Main Street in Catskill to find tons of the cute shops upstate New York is known for, in particular Stay Forever for gifts, Spike’s for records, and Magpie for used books.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of cute

Adjective

This is an analog way to get friends together without putting the pressure on yourself to cook an entire meal or set the prettiest tablescape.

— Heather Bien, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
This pretty fixture works hard as a table lamp, candle warmer, and decor piece, offering a smoke-free way to add ambient light and fragrance to your space without the fire hazard.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of pretty

Adjective

My suite was on the second floor and included a separate living room and a gorgeous sun room with the best views in the house.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
This past week saw the release of nearly half an hour of gorgeous gameplay from Grand Theft Auto 6, followed by a number of interviews and features about aspects of the game.

— Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of gorgeous

Adjective

The neighborhood Located on the Bodrum peninsula, Türkbükü is a charming seaside village, just 15 minutes away by car and out of earshot from Bodrum’s bustling centre.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Among the house’s charming features were a wraparound porch, a custom library, and an attic converted into a bedroom for their daughter, Chelsea, who turned one year old during the Clinton family’s two-year residency at the house.

— Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of charming

Browse Nearby Words

comeliness

comely

come off

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“Comely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/comely. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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