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

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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 By all accounts, the real Grandier was a handsome, charismatic speaker as well as a serial philanderer who spoke out against clerical celibacy. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 Shot by Arnaud Potier, the film has a handsome, genteel look. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 But not before Elinor has fallen in love with Edward Ferrars (George MacKay), Fanny’s handsome and upstanding brother, during a family visit. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 Sparks fly when Avery connects with Darlene's handsome firefighter grandson, who shows her what being part of Bears nation is all about. — Aunya Butler, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handsome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome

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

The brusque treatment of an executive of Bajaria’s stature is a sign that no one is safe from scrutiny, and no one should ever count on making a graceful exit.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Minervini calmed down from there, delivering a more graceful goodbye.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

Fixing the problem Flexible substrates have uneven surface roughness and varying hydroxyl-group densities, making standard large-area printing techniques ineffective.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
There is a small chance for isolated Coastal Flood Warnings Wednesday through Thursday if larger surf develops.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of large

Adjective

Zygielbaum was surprised however that the DOJ reached out only to him, and not the Republican clerk in neighboring Weld County, which also houses a sizable portion of that same congressional district.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 22 Oct. 2026
But current attempts to drive home that message are being rejected by a sizable and growing part of the population.

— Nicholas Florko, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of sizable

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

Conventional early-warning aircraft have space for substantial radar arrays and powerful onboard systems, but their size and cost can limit how many can be deployed.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
With builds ranging up to $6,000, the new ROG Strix Scar 18 will make a substantial dent in your bank account.

— Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of substantial

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hands-off

handsome

handsomely

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Style

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

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Synonyms of handsome

adjective

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