GRACE Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'grace' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grace are charity , clemency , leniency , and mercy . While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions. // by the grace of God

Q: When is 'charity' a more appropriate choice than 'grace'?

In some situations, the words charity and grace are roughly equivalent. However, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others. // show a little charity for the less fortunate

Q: When is it sensible to use 'clemency' instead of 'grace'?

While in some cases nearly identical to grace , clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing. // the judge refused to show clemency

Q: In what contexts can 'leniency' take the place of 'grace'?

While the synonyms leniency and grace are close in meaning, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing. // criticized the courts for excessive leniency

Q: When might 'mercy' be a better fit than 'grace'?

The words mercy and grace can be used in similar contexts, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it. // threw himself on the mercy of the court

grace 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrās

Definition of grace

as in kindness

an act of kind assistance in Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables, Jean Valjean's decision to go to jail for the man mistaken for him is a grace that goes beyond thanks

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as in elegance

dignified or restrained beauty of form, appearance, or style a beautiful actress who was the epitome of grace during her too-brief career

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as in advantage

a quality that gives something special worth as if taste were not enough, red wine has the added grace of being healthy for the heart

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grace

2 of 2

verb

as in to adorn

to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming I hope that you will grace our gathering with your presence

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How does the noun grace differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of grace are charity, clemency, leniency, and mercy. While all these words mean "a disposition to show kindness or compassion," grace implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions.

by the grace of God

When is charity a more appropriate choice than grace?

In some situations, the words charity and grace are roughly equivalent. However, charity stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others.

show a little charity for the less fortunate

When is it sensible to use clemency instead of grace?

While in some cases nearly identical to grace, clemency implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing.

the judge refused to show clemency

In what contexts can leniency take the place of grace?

While the synonyms leniency and grace are close in meaning, leniency implies lack of severity in punishing.

criticized the courts for excessive leniency

When might mercy be a better fit than grace?

The words mercy and grace can be used in similar contexts, but mercy implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it.

threw himself on the mercy of the court

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 grace

Noun

While Bell has navigated the situation with grace and issued an immediate public apology for his teenage posts, getting back into the Blazers' good graces remains a steep battle. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2026 The FaceTime skit was very Sophie-and-Margo-coded, but don’t expect their characters to be in each other’s good graces when season 2 picks up. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026

Verb

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro earbuds launched earlier this year, as the latest high-end pair to grace your eardrums. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 Guests arrived via a long red carpet, a nod to the countless ones Saab's gowns have graced over the years. — Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace

Noun

The play is largely a study in kindness, in both form and subject — even while facing the tough inevitabilities of any life.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
In that interview, Williams discussed growing up in New York, overcoming adversity and the importance of treating others with kindness.

— Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

Flashbacks of sartorial elegance from the 1890s are unmistakable here, but the luxe, boutique property is also down-to-earth and comfortable.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
The look was also reminiscent of the understated elegance of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, Conor’s late aunt by marriage.

— Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of elegance

Noun

There are advantages to having a merged Paramount+/HBO Max streaming group, Kogel says.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
My breadth of experience from my upbringing to fighting for Arkansans from all walks of life, gives me an advantage in understanding that life story every person brings into my court.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of advantage

Verb

The image could be found on T-shirts, hats, billboards, beer bottles, Christmas ornaments and even adorned the cover of several books written about the championship season.

— Mark Long, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Oct. 2026
The exterior of the sculpture is adorned with synthetic braids, a fundamental material with Peacock, for whom braiding is a metaphor for relation, an embrace, irreducible intimacy.

— Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of adorn

Noun

To walk deep into the mountain forests at the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains, is to encounter the fragrant majesty of century-old ponderosa pine trees famous for lining ski slopes, National Park trails and residential neighborhoods.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026
From the charming courtyards and upscale fashion boutiques tucked behind Worth Avenue to the rugged majesty of Jupiter’s inlets, the region is a playground for the curious traveler.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of majesty

Verb

You’re pointed to the hotel entrance by a series of discrete signs in gold lettering, where lifts take you to the beautiful 10th floor lobby decorated in cream and white and accented with simple, bold artworks, also in gold.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The Clarins brand developed travel retail sets with boxes decorated uniquely for the city the traveler is in, highlighting moments of discovery.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of decorate

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“Grace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grace. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grace

noun

verb

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on grace

More from Merriam-Webster

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