cordial 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkȯr-jəl How to pronounce cordial (audio)
Definition of cordialnext
1
as in warm
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest a cordial inquiry about her mother's health

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gracious
showing a natural kindness and courtesy especially in social situations a cordial hostess who makes sure everyone is comfortable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind he insisted that a cordial nip of brandy would be just the thing for someone suffering from shock

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cordial

2 of 2

noun

as in tonic

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cordial different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of cordial are affable, genial, gracious, and sociable. While all these words mean "markedly pleasant and easy in social intercourse," cordial stresses warmth and heartiness.

our host was cordial as he greeted us

When could affable be used to replace cordial?

The synonyms affable and cordial are sometimes interchangeable, but affable implies easy approachability and readiness to respond pleasantly to conversation or requests or proposals.

though wealthy, she was affable to all

When is genial a more appropriate choice than cordial?

In some situations, the words genial and cordial are roughly equivalent. However, genial stresses cheerfulness and even joviality.

a genial companion with a ready quip

In what contexts can gracious take the place of cordial?

The words gracious and cordial can be used in similar contexts, but gracious implies courtesy and kindly consideration.

the gracious award winner thanked her colleagues

When is it sensible to use sociable instead of cordial?

While the synonyms sociable and cordial are close in meaning, sociable suggests a genuine liking for the companionship of others.

sociable people who enjoy entertaining

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 cordial
Adjective
The usually cordial relationship between Washington and Ottawa has soured considerably in recent weeks, with trade talks derailed and the neighbors now levying multi-billion-dollar tariffs against one another. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 While not always cordial, such interactions have been a hallmark of American representative democracy since the colonial period. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
The cocktails here are a study in balance; the harsh edges of spirits are expertly rounded down by cordials, fruit wines, and other ferments (all of which are made in-house) without sacrificing complexity. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 June 2025 And because Leonessa takes cues from Italy, expect a rotating menu of complimentary aperitivo-style snacks and a cocktail list full of spritzes, bitters, martinis, plus plenty of amari, vermouth, and cordials. — Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cordial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cordial
  1. warm
  2. gracious
  3. refreshing
  4. tonic
  5. friendly
  6. hospitable
  7. drug
  8. medicine
Adjective
  • The song is a dreamy barn-raiser, hoisting this premise on warm guitar tones and a plaintive tone that proves a through-line throughout the record.
    — Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • After another warm weekend, with widespread high temperatures in the 80s, California is set for a real cooldown this week.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • No Camas coach would talk (although one, along with a school administrator, was gracious to me), and the boy's mother wouldn't acknowledge my presence Saturday.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Overcast Milan was looking even grayer than I’d have liked, but I was heartened by a gracious welcome at the Park Hyatt, tucked away on a side street of the Piazza del Duomo.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • The Imbox deodorizer works to prevent and eliminate odor — and leaves a refreshing fragrance to allow consumers to preserve the feeling of a fresh shoe for longer.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • That pragmatism was refreshing and impeccably executed at Dries Van Noten, Celine, Simone Rocha, and Loewe.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Noun
  • The Citadel provided the perfect tonic for Texas A&M that has lost three of its first four Southeastern Conference games.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The backstory For most of my life, the Old Dutch Inn has been just a faint memory of kicking my legs from a bar stool, drinking a Shirley Temple next to my late grandmother, who would likely have been nursing a gin and tonic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of tonic
Adjective
  • Crucially, Muse—which comes with a cuddly avatar—was designed by Meta to be beginner-friendly, and to win over people unfamiliar with AI.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Scores from the law firm are calculated by analyzing the number of cyclist victims, change in victim rate and bicycle-friendly community recognition.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • Backers envision more riverside development bringing tourists to kayak, fish and otherwise enjoy cleaner waterways that are more hospitable to native plants and animals.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Music’s mainstream is also currently less hospitable to hip-hop than its been in years past, leaving real estate up for grabs (Drake is the only rapper to post a top 10 Hot 100 hit as a lead artist in 2026).
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of hospitable
Noun
  • Imprisoned since 2004 and serving a life sentence, Buchanan was accused of directing drug sales, extortion, gambling and violence across San Diego County and beyond.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • They were showered with expensive clothes, spa treatments, and drugs, and given weekly allowances ranging from $150 to $200.
    — Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of drug
Noun
  • As a result, facilities are forced to buy medicines at market prices.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Our technologies can transform medicine, education, and human prosperity.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of medicine

Browse Nearby Words

corded
cordial
cordiality
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Cite this Entry

“Cordial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cordial. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cordial

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cordial

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