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 The comely stars, who are excellent at trolling each other online, are already parents to daughters James, 4, and Inez, 2. — Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2019 Coach builder Zagato didn’t just rebody an Alpine A110 to create this comely and current longtail. — Sean Evans, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025 According to Alessandro Usielli, head of Ford global brand entertainment, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Ford have all worked with the Bond franchise to introduce new models by providing cars for the superspy, his coterie of comely conquests and his villainous adversaries. — Brett Berk, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for comely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for comely

Adjective

The new depot opened in 1912 and served for many years, although the handsome tiled building was razed decades ago.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2026
As Washington, William Franklyn-Miller is tall, lean and model-handsome in a way that feels out of period.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

On paper, Minnesota seems like an attractive destination for the 41-year-old.

— Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 1 July 2026
But Minetree cannot fix the inherent brokenness of a series determined to make its conventionally attractive, straight, rich white protagonist the most discriminated against kid in the cafeteria.

— Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of attractive

Adjective

Their French 75, which is made with cognac, lemon and muscadet, is a perfect example thanks to a beautiful balance of elegance and ingenuity.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
At the rear of the second floor is the primary suite, which has a large walk-in closet and another beautiful bathroom featuring a six-foot soaking tub with a custom glass surround.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Definition of beautiful

Adjective

Especially the guy who bangs a wrecking ball against the historic East Wing to make room for an incongruous ballroom monstrosity, who mars the sacred Oval Office with gold glitter and paves over the lovely Rose Garden.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
All in all, launching the book has been an exhausting and lovely gift of an experience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

Places like the Dolomites in Italy are especially well suited to private active travel, with charming lodges too small for large tour groups.

— Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Apparently, mom Donna was meant to go on a date with another guy when Ed saw her, hit her with a not-so-cool-yet-charming pickup line, scooped her and the rest was history.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of comely

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