amicable

adjective

ˈa-mi-kə-bəl How to pronounce amicable (audio)
Definition of amicablenext
1
as in compatible
having or marked by agreement in feeling or action the contract negotiations between the hotel workers and management were reasonably amicable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in friendly
having or showing kindly feeling and sincere interest finds his coworkers at his new job just as amicable as he ever could have hoped

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective amicable contrast with its synonyms?

The words friendly and neighborly are common synonyms of amicable. While all three words mean "exhibiting goodwill and an absence of antagonism," amicable implies a state of peace and a desire on the part of the parties not to quarrel.

maintained amicable relations

When can friendly be used instead of amicable?

In some situations, the words friendly and amicable are roughly equivalent. However, friendly stresses cordiality and often warmth or intimacy of personal relations.

sought friendly advice

When is it sensible to use neighborly instead of amicable?

The synonyms neighborly and amicable are sometimes interchangeable, but neighborly implies a disposition to live on good terms with others and to be helpful on principle.

neighborly concern

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 amicable Sources describe the parting as amicable, and Wyle doesn’t have immediate plans to sign with another talent agency. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026 The separation was amicable, with TNA reportedly trying to retain her. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 Henson’s departure is said to be amicable, with Donaldson and Jeff Housenbold, CEO of Beast Industries, supportive of her decision. — Peter White, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026 The situation was amicable, with Newcastle prepared for his exit. — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for amicable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amicable
  1. compatible
  2. friendly
  3. unanimous
  4. warm
  5. gracious
Adjective
  • The approach also keeps JR3 compatible with launchers already used by Army units.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Due to antibodies from previous transfusions and a transplant, finding a compatible second kidney was nearly impossible.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of compatible
Adjective
  • Underneath the friendly little pixel clock, though, the presence of an ESP32 makes things interesting, and Ulanzi has done something rather unusual.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of friendly
Adjective
  • Although the Federal Open Market Committee voted to hold its benchmark for interest rates steady at its last meeting, the decision wasn’t unanimous.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The council approved the donation in a unanimous vote Tuesday evening.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of unanimous
Adjective
  • Thanks to warm, dry and windy conditions, the fire — named Smokehouse Creek fire — rapidly spread, becoming the largest fire in Texas history.
    — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
  • At a little under two feet, the can’t-miss fixture spreads a warm light that creates a welcoming atmosphere for reading, relaxing, or sharing drinks without harsh overhead lighting or a spindly, corner-lurking, fluorescent presence.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of warm
Adjective
  • The gracious master of ceremonies gave me the place of honor in the line-up, directly behind him, with Reiffer and the two shikaris bringing up the rear.
    — Leslie E. Tassell, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Walters asks, with a show of reluctance, questions about hillbillies, adolescent development, breast surgeries and her husband — though the singer’s answers are always gracious.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of gracious

Browse Nearby Words

amicability
amicable
amicableness
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Amicable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amicable. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All