pleasantly

Examples

• All

• So I was pleasantly surprised that it meant so much to them.

  Ear Biscuits

• During the trip, we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful scenery at every turn.

• It's a dress and I am pleasantly surprised.

• If you expect nothing from people, then you go through life being pleasantly surprised.

  The Innkeepers (2011)

• I bet I'm going to be pleasantly surprised.

• Overall, I would say we were all so, so pleasantly surprised by Philly.

• You will be pleasantly surprised because it's peculiarly perfect.

• The next week, I was pleasantly surprised when he shared his view of TEK with the class.

  Academic text (2004)

• I was also pleasantly surprised by the collegiality of the independent school setting.

  Academic text (2017)

• I was pleasantly surprised when Miss Epp came in a dress as I'd requested.

  Academic text (2016)

Synonyms

N

nicely

vspleasantly

388 1.0

In a pleasant or attractive way

is more social, implying friendliness as well as mere attractiveness

H

happily

vspleasantly

279 1.0

Do something in a cheerful way

is more neutral, focusing on agreeability rather than overt joy

W

with a smile

vspleasantly

67 1.0

In a friendly way while smiling

is not limited to smiling and covers other pleasant manners

G

graciously

vspleasantly

41 3.9

In a kind and polite way that shows respect

is less formal and can be simply pleasant without courtesy

W

warmly

vspleasantly

39 1.0

In a kind, friendly, and enthusiastic way

is broader, covering quiet agreeableness as well as warm manners

S

sweetly

vspleasantly

37 1.0

In a kind, gentle, pleasant way

is broader, also including nonemotional pleasantness or simple agreeability

C

cheerfully

vspleasantly

34 1.0

In a happy, friendly way that shows you want to help

is calmer and can be pleasant without obvious cheerfulness

D

delightfully

vspleasantly

21 1.8

In a very pleasant way that makes you feel happy

is milder, covering ordinary enjoyment or friendliness rather than strong delight

C

charmingly

vspleasantly

11 3.0

In a pleasant way that makes people like you

is more neutral, covering simple agreeableness without active charm

A

amiably

vspleasantly

4 3.7

In a friendly, pleasant way

is more general, also applying to non-social enjoyable situations

G

good-naturedly

vspleasantly

4 3.5

In a kind and friendly way

includes that kindness but also covers simple nonpersonal enjoyment

C

cheerily

vspleasantly

3 2.5

In a happy, friendly way

is more general, applying to quiet friendliness as well as cheerfulness

P

pleasingly

vspleasantly

3 3.4

In a way that makes someone feel happy

is wider, also including friendly tone rather than only satisfaction

A

agreeably

vspleasantly

3 2.3

In a pleasant way that feels nice

adds the idea of friendliness as well as mere acceptability

P

pleasurably

vspleasantly

1 3.4

In a way that feels pleasant

is broader, also covering friendly or simply agreeable behaviour

E

enjoyably

vspleasantly

1 1.3

In a pleasant way that gives pleasure

also applies when something is merely friendly or agreeable rather than fun

A

affably

vspleasantly

1 4.4

In a friendly, pleasant way that shows warmth and kindness

is less about social warmth and more about general agreeableness

C

congenially

vspleasantly

1 5.7

In a pleasant and friendly way

is similar but also covers simple enjoyment without social fit

C

convivially

vspleasantly

6.8

In a friendly, lively, and enjoyable way

is broader, including solitary or simple pleasant experiences too

S

sunnily

vspleasantly

3.1

In a cheerful, hopeful way

is more neutral and can be pleasant without strong optimism

Antonyms

U

unpleasantly

5 2.7

In a way that makes you feel bad or uncomfortable

How Pleasant

delightfully

21 1.8

charmingly

11 3.0

pleasantly

50 1.0

agreeably

3 2.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology