Definition of greetingnext
1
as in salutation
an expression of goodwill upon meeting the volunteer directed the conference participants towards the coffee after offering them a cheerful greeting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

greeting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of greet
as in addressing
to acknowledge (someone) by means of spoken words The host cheerfully greeted the party guests at the door.

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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 greeting
Noun
Owner Alejandro Godinez moves between orders and greetings, stopping to hug regulars and call customers by name. — Daniela Cintron - For The Ajc, AJC.com, 15 Oct. 2026 When no one responds to the initial greeting, the caller tries again. — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
My mom’s siblings usually arrived in a sour mood without greeting anyone at the table, my aunt’s brow furrowed and my uncle wearing a sneaky smirk. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 While the players pull up socks, lace their boots and catch up with each other, head coach Ryan Pore enters, greeting each of them — one after another — with a handshake. — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for greeting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for greeting
Noun
  • One morning we were led on a silent hike with another couple and a leader that involved sun salutations to the actual rising sun.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Since then, numerous instructors have found ways to use a chair for adapted versions of a surprising number of traditional yoga movements, like lunging warrior poses and standing-to-lying sun salutations.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • And uses the appropriate singular word for each when addressing just one.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The authors further argue that courts addressing tax issues focus more on substance than labels.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Carl lowers his head like a hitter hit by a pitch, then rouses himself and breaks into a stiff, elderly trot, shooting a salute over at whoever’s inside the tilted little guard hut.
    — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Offering the Black Panther salute in tribute to the six Black prisoners found dead at Attica Prison, during the funeral held in Brooklyn.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Hachimura received a warm welcome from his former Lakers teammates before the game, exchanging hugs with Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The weekend would include a lakefront welcome party at Westward, an intimate rehearsal dinner at a private club, a ceremony at a chapel near her home, and the rest of the celebrations in her family’s backyard.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Greeting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/greeting. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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