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

Relevance

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 The reasons appear to go beyond wanting to rake in a handsome profit. — Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The living area has an original decorative fireplace framed by a handsome mantel, and the south-facing bay windows are lined with wooden trim. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026 Rob Rausch, a handsome snake-wrangler from Alabama, was standing a few feet away from Maura Higgins, the former Love Islander, next to the Traitors’ roundtable. — The Deadline Team, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026 The Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze is played as a glowering, skeptical presence by a darkly handsome English actor. — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for handsome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for handsome

Adjective

The beautiful, heirloom quality cookware is a quintessential gift or kitchen upgrade.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Nashville then moved two goals clear in the 56th minute when Cristian Espinoza sent a pass across toward the near post and Surridge converted nonchalantly with a beautiful heel flick.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of beautiful

Adjective

Access to footage requires a sizable payment, disclosure of the project’s editorial purpose, legal review, and approval before material can be released.

— Addie Morfoot, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026
First introduced in 1988, the Omega Speedmaster Reduced took the Speedmaster Professional — which comes in a sizable 42mm case sizing — and slimmed it down to a chill 39mm.

— Tres Dean, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of sizable

Adjective

Using Stainless Polish On Your Fridge On the one hand, using stainless polish to clean a stainless steel fridge leaves a bright, attractive, reflective finish—but there’s a downside.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
Shaped like a giant leaf, this attractive play mat comes with six hanging plush toys that can be detached when your baby is ready for tummy time games.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of attractive

Adjective

Top 5 Can’t Miss A former family mansion, the elegant Villa Igiea is one of Palermo’s most opulent stays, with a history of hosting celebrities and royals during its early years.

— Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026
Best Splurge At 7-feet tall, this bar cabinet is both elegant and dignified, pairing a walnut finish and forest green leather with brass hardware.

— Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of elegant

Adjective

Its compact design aims to provide substantial carrying capacity without relying on conventional vehicles.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Organizations often spend substantial energy articulating ambitious outcomes while devoting less attention to the routines that make those outcomes possible.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of substantial

Adjective

In retrospect, the accusation may contain no truth, some truth, or considerable truth.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Severe thunderstorms are possible from Tuesday afternoon into the overnight hours, but forecasters say there is considerable uncertainty about when and where storms will develop.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of considerable

Browse Nearby Words

hands-off

handsome

handsomely

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Style

“Handsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handsome. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of handsome

adjective

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