HANDSOME Synonyms: 367 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of handsome are beautiful , comely , fair , lovely , and pretty . While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance. // a handsome Georgian mansion

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

While the synonyms beautiful and handsome are close in meaning, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses. // beautiful mountain scenery

Q: How are the words 'comely' and 'handsome' related?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to. // the comely grace of a dancer

Q: When could 'fair' be used to replace 'handsome'?

The synonyms fair and handsome are sometimes interchangeable, but fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness. // fair of face

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

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: When would 'pretty' be a good substitute for 'handsome'?

The words pretty and handsome can be used in similar contexts, but pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness. // a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

handsome

adjective

ˈhan(t)-səm

Definition of handsome

as in beautiful

very pleasing to look at a handsome man with finely chiseled features

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in graceful

having or showing elegance the glass-topped table was a handsome addition to the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in large

of a size greater than average of its kind earns a handsome salary as senior vice president of the firm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sizable

sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention real estate developers realized a handsome profit on that deal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective handsome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of handsome are beautiful, comely, fair, lovely, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use beautiful instead of handsome?

While the synonyms beautiful and handsome are close in meaning, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When could fair be used to replace handsome?

The synonyms fair and handsome are sometimes interchangeable, but fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

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

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

a lovely melody

When would pretty be a good substitute for handsome?

The words pretty and handsome can be used in similar contexts, but 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 handsome This film finds a third-bowl-of-porridge option that lets the tall, stark, and handsome star channel both old-fashioned Hollywood strong, silent types and suggest strong undercurrents of pain running mere millimeters beneath the surface. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026 This year’s sale is also ripe with small space-friendly gems like the Sanders Reversible sectional and Sven loveseat, both with handsome designs that can speak volumes in a living room of any size. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026 The rooms The 160 rooms and suites strike a balance between modern style and island charm, with leafy wallpaper, handsome headboards, and artwork by local artists that nod to Key West’s quirky spirit—think roosters and vintage island scenes. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Lockhart is, of course, the handsome yet narcissistic con artist who is hired at Hogwarts during Potter’s (Dominic McLaughlin) second year. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handsome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome

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

As with many of the academic cases, there are often no permanent consequences for Pretendians; they are either allowed to continue teaching or granted a graceful retirement.

— Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
The driveway, lined with perennial beds, has a graceful curve on its way to a large circle that allows guests to park near the walkway to the front porch.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

To study dark energy, Roman will measure how gravity bends light across large cosmic distances — creating a 3D map of dark matter in the process.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
In 2022, Cuban founded Cost Plus Drugs, a website created to sell generic medication at a lower price than most large pharmacies.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of large

Adjective

Eleven million sales in America, countless radio spins and nearly a billion Spotify streams, and the copyright is Parton’s alone, bringing in millions of dollars on its own as a sizable piece of the icon’s expansive business empire.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026
The interest charges alone can consume a sizable share of the monthly credit card payments, especially now that card rates are averaging over 22%.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sizable

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

Shop more outlet deals below, including an elegant candleholder, a luxe ottoman, and slim patio sofa.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
The Queen size bed feels huge, there's plenty of light, sumptuous extra seating and an overall elegant Georgian style feel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of elegant

Adjective

The Potential Downsides Not everyone can slot a substantial breakfast and half an hour of cardio into a hectic morning.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Dred Scott, decided in 1857, was the Court’s first use of horizontal review since Marbury and its first substantial use of the power ever.

— Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of substantial

Adjective

Long-term concessions give foreign companies considerable influence over critical infrastructure.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026
With the excitement will come considerable outside expectations he’s never experienced — some of Sumrall’s own making.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of considerable

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hands-off

handsome

handsomely

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

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Synonyms of handsome

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