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

Relevance

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
Two Austrian flight attendants, cordial and in uniform, more than made up for that. — Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The Good Enough for Eleanor – a vodka cocktail with lemon, honey, grapefruit cordial and lillet blanc, topped with sparkling wine – is a mainstay. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 29 July 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
  • This luxe accent chair invites fall into your home with its rich velvet upholstery and warm cinnamon shade.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The temperature on Monday reached 81 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening with an average humidity level of 72 percent — warm but not unbearable.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • The gracious master of ceremonies gave me the place of honor in the line-up, directly behind him, with Reiffer and the two shikaris bringing up the rear.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Walters asks, with a show of reluctance, questions about hillbillies, adolescent development, breast surgeries and her husband — though the singer’s answers are always gracious.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • The final non-alcoholic drink is a cherry lemonade, which will be perfectly refreshing after a hot day in the theme parks.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Not only are the fruits delicious and refreshing, but these elegant trees produce beautiful, fragrant blooms in early spring too.
    — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of refreshing
Noun
  • Quinta de la Rosa Extra Dry White Port Perfumed with a note of pear, this offering is a great lower-alcohol substitute for gin or vodka in most cocktails but equally quaffable when splashed with tonic or seltzer.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • To achieve this, the locus coeruleus continuously alternates between tonic activity—governing baseline arousal and alertness—and brief phasic bursts that focus attention on critical events.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of tonic
Adjective
  • Baleaf consistently nails budget-friendly performance wear, and these capris are no exception.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Give a basic kitchen island a custom look with a few easy (and budget-friendly) updates.
    — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • So Flippo hightailed it north to run in the far more hospitable 2nd District.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • All this makes for tough ground to defend, and a climate that’s all too hospitable to reactionary explanation.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of hospitable
Noun
  • One of the first focuses under the new corporate structure will be addressing cancer drug affordability, Shah said, with a goal of accelerating the adoption of lower-cost biosimilars, which are clinically equivalent drugs akin to generic drugs.
    — Ian Thomas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Scott’s narrator, Louise, is a musician of sorts, a frequent drug user, and a desperate diehard romantic, forever dogged by her ex-girlfriend Alex.
    — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of drug
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege Clancy planned the killings by sending her husband to pick up takeout food and medicine, then, while he was gone, strangled the children with exercise bands.
    — Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Vanessa graduated from Florida International University, completed medical school, and entered a three-year emergency-medicine residency program at a South Florida hospital.
    — Tania Francois, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of medicine

Browse Nearby Words

corded
cordial
cordiality
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

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

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cordial

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cordial

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All