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

Fans, artists, and leaders across all industries are mourning the star whose relentless optimism, grace, and resilience was a shining light. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 Parton tackled public relations glitches with grace when people in her orbit were slower to come around on equity issues. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Verb

Parton graced the cover of Warhol’s Interview magazine twice, making her debut with the July 1984 issue illustrated in signature style. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 Tara Lipinski Tara Lipinski graced 7th Heaven with her Olympic gold-winning presence in 2003. — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grace

Noun

If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

The composure of Amélie, and the decidedly wild and clownish manner in which she’s painted, can’t be tamed into order, elegance, or beauty.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The sellers decided to put the marble over the top and update it with elegance, without taking away what was originally here.

— David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of elegance

Verb

But the very act of putting on a wearable—of willingly adorning oneself with a tiny computerized narc—is an act of surrender.

— Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
The politician proposed with a glamorous three-stone engagement ring adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

— Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of adorn

Noun

Historians say the horns may have been blown to scare evil spirits, to proclaim victories, or as a way to encourage divine mercy.

— Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
And she has been asked to comment and speak on MANY things over the years … choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people, and shutting down any line of questioning that won’t.

— Hunter Kelly, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of mercy

Noun

The stunning majesty of Florida’s wildlife, lands and culture is on display in a new show at Winter Garden’s SOBO Art Gallery.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2026
While national parks may garner peak interest from outdoor enthusiasts, travelers shouldn’t discount the accessibility and majesty of national forests for late summer and fall exploration.

— Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of majesty

Verb

The walls are decorated with memories, paintings and artwork, like needlework from his wife that depicts cats in their leisure time.

— Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
Over the course of two long and decorated MLB careers — which includes Heyward’s five Gold Gloves, Freeman’s 10 All-Star selections, and five World Series rings between the two of them — their paths diverged and reconnected multiple times.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of decorate

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

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Synonyms of grace

noun

verb

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More from Merriam-Webster on grace

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