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

This handsome volume runs through 90 European venues, breaking down their unique features, acoustic qualities and performance histories (recent and not so).

— Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Skarsgård’s wicker man is tall, blonde and handsome on the outside, but hollow by design.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

Animosity toward national politics has seeped into town halls, where trust in government is making public service jobs less attractive, said Stephanie Leiser, director of U-M's Center for Local, State and Urban Policy, which conducted the survey.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Despite the restrictions, Jung says Korea is an attractive option for straight couples who want to engage with a medical system that’s fast and efficient.

— Jessica Poitevien, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of attractive

Adjective

Beyond cooking, Relota Luczo takes a shot of Furtuna Skin’s LXR06 Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil on an empty stomach each morning to maintain her beautiful skin.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Give the cake a final shake of fresh nutmeg for a beautiful presentation.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of beautiful

Adjective

Montserrat Collection Residence Set within a 1930s French-style building, this lovely home features contemporary Argentine art and mid-century design.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
But Mi-ok is game to be interviewed, and her words spring to life in wistfully lovely flashbacks.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of lovely

Adjective

At their on-screen meet cute, Apatow hands Bamford $500 cash just to pitch her on her own documentary.

— Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The showstopper is a very cute idea where each baker has to make a dessert cart with at least three classic desserts on it.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of cute

Adjective

The arrival, by black car transfer from the Honolulu airport to a private airport and then a quick flight on a private jet, is pretty swank.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Think Pink For brides looking for an alternative color to the classic white wedding dress, the fall 2027 season’s answer comes through ample designs in pretty shades of pink.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of pretty

Adjective

Spiced Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Adding pumpkin spice to half the batter before putting the two components together creates a magnificent swirl pattern that your holiday guests will ooh and aah over when cutting into this gorgeous cake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
In contrast to the gorgeous monochrome visuals, this is a land that stinks of complicity and delusion — of opportunists desperate to scramble onto the right side of history.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gorgeous

Adjective

The charming downtown Banff is about two miles down the road; the hotel offers a free shuttle into town every 30 minutes.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026
Fisher lived in a charming Spanish-style estate high up in the Hollywood Hills, and her mom, at Fisher’s behest, moved into the neighboring cottage.

— Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of comely

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