When closing a letter or email, choosing the right sign-off can shape how your message is received. While “Sincerely” remains a popular and respectful choice, it can sometimes feel routine or formal. To add variety and better match your tone, it helps to know alternatives that fit different contexts. In this guide, we explore .
12 other ways to say “Sincerely” that work for professional, friendly, creative, and empathetic communication. These options let you express warmth, respect, or personality with every closing line.
12 Other Ways to Say Bio
| Closing Phrase | Tone | Common Usage | Best For | Notes |
| Best regards | Professional | Business emails, formal letters | Clients, colleagues | Polite and neutral |
| Kind regards | Warm, polite | Professional and international | Building relationships | Slightly friendlier than “Best regards” |
| Respectfully | Formal, serious | Legal, military, official emails | Superiors, sensitive topics | Shows deference and respect |
| Sincerely yours | Formal, warm | Cover letters, job offers | Formal but personal closings | More personal than just “Sincerely” |
| Faithfully | Formal, traditional | UK formal letters | Unknown recipient | Rare in US, very formal |
| Warm wishes | Friendly | Seasonal greetings, thank-yous | Colleagues, clients | Adds warmth |
| Cheers | Casual, upbeat | Informal emails, startups | Friends, coworkers | Fun and modern |
| Take care | Friendly, caring | Informal or semi-formal | People going through tough times | Shows empathy |
| With gratitude | Grateful | Thank-you emails | Appreciation messages | Expresses sincere thanks |
| Yours truly | Traditional, warm | Professional notes, letters | Long-term contacts | Heartfelt and honest |
| Stay awesome | Casual, playful | Informal notes, close colleagues | Friends, creative teams | Fun, use only with familiar people |
| In sympathy | Empathetic | Condolence letters | Loss or hardship | Formal and comforting |
| Thinking of you | Personal, soft | Support messages | Difficult situations | Gentle and caring |
Other Ways to Say “Sincerely”
The phrase “Sincerely” has stood the test of time in both formal settings and professional emails. It expresses politeness, respect, and a neutral tone that works well in most business or corporate communication. But sometimes, using it too often can make your writing feel repetitive or bland. If you’re trying to stand out, it’s smart to vary your sign-offs depending on the recipient, purpose, and level of familiarity. Many professionals now look for alternatives that keep the message clear but add personality or a sense of connection. From Best regards to Warm wishes, each option brings a unique vibe to your message. In the sections below, we’ll explore each one and explain when and how to use it effectively in your everyday writing.
Understanding these options also helps you align with different regional and cultural expectations. For instance, certain closings like “Yours faithfully” are more common in British English, while others such as “Sincerely yours” or “Best regards” are frequent choices in American workplace communication. Tone matters more than ever, and finding the right closing phrase shows emotional intelligence and strong writing skills.
Professional Endings
In the workplace, you need email closings that sound smart and respectful without being too cold. These professional alternatives to “Sincerely” are widely accepted in formal and corporate settings. They’re used in correspondence with clients, managers, and even new contacts. Each one has a slightly different tone, but all fit within the world of business etiquette. Picking the right one depends on your context, the level of formality, and the message’s purpose. For example, if you’re sending a follow-up after a meeting or proposal, choosing a strong but friendly ending can help keep things professional yet human.
Best regards is one of the most common closings in the U.S. business world. It’s clear, polite, and safe for almost any formal email. You can use it when writing to someone you know or a new contact. Kind regards add a little more warmth and friendliness without losing the professional edge. It’s often used in professional tone communication when you’re building relationships with colleagues or clients. Respectfully is the best choice when you’re addressing a person of authority, or delivering critical feedback. It shows deference and is often used in legal, academic, or governmental communication. “Sincerely yours” feels more personal than just “Sincerely” and works well for letters where you want to sound genuine and traditional.
If you’re unsure about the recipient’s name or you’re writing a formal letter to an unknown audience, you can use “Faithfully.” While this is more common in UK usage, it’s still recognized and sometimes used in American business writing as well. It’s ideal for very formal letters, such as cover letters, or documents where tradition and respect are important. These phrases are not just about etiquette; they also help shape how you’re perceived as a professional.
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Best regards
Best regards is probably the safest and most flexible sign-off you can use in a formal tone email. It’s widely accepted in both the US and international business communities. This phrase communicates professionalism while still sounding human. It’s not overly emotional, yet it gives your message a nice touch of warmth. That’s why it’s commonly used for day-to-day work emails, reports, follow-ups, and client communication. It works perfectly when you’re dealing with both internal and external messages.
What makes Best regards effective is that it’s polite, simple, and doesn’t assume too much about your relationship with the reader. It’s perfect for when you need to maintain a balance between professional and friendly. People often choose it as an alternative to Sincerely because it softens the tone just enough while still remaining respectful. Whether you’re in marketing, sales, tech, or admin, this closing will always feel appropriate. It keeps your communication clear, consistent, and professional.
Kind regards
The phrase works well when you’re corresponding with someone you know or have spoken to before. If you’re writing to a client you’ve already met or a coworker you’ve collaborated with, Kind regards is a great fit. It’s especially useful for people in customer service, corporate communication, or human resources roles, where tone makes a huge difference in how a message is received. Because it’s neutral yet kind, it bridges the gap between formality and genuine connection.
Kind regards sounds just as polished as Best regards, but adds a warmer touch. It’s used more frequently in international contexts, especially by people working across the US and UK, but it’s also gaining popularity in American work culture. You’ll often see it in emails where the sender wants to show a little extra friendliness without sounding too casual. This could include a thank-you message, a polite reminder, or a soft rejection.
Respectfully
Respectfully carries a strong sense of honor, making it perfect when you’re writing to a superior, elder, or official figure. It’s especially common in legal, military, or governmental communication, where the power dynamic is more rigid and the tone must stay serious. Using this sign-off shows you’re not just being polite; you’re acknowledging someone’s position or status. It’s also great when you’re offering constructive criticism or raising a sensitive concern.
It may sound too formal for casual office messages, but in the right situation, it’s highly effective. For example, if you’re submitting a complaint to a department head or sending a proposal to someone higher in the chain of command, respectfully adds weight to your closing. It fits well in emails where tone, hierarchy, and professionalism really matter. If used correctly, it can even improve how your message is received.
Sincerely yours
Sincerely yours is a more personal variation of “Sincerely.” It’s still formal, but carries a warmer feeling. This makes it a good option for letters or emails where you’re trying to be both respectful and heartfelt. People often use it when accepting job offers, writing to colleagues they admire, or closing a thank-you message after an interview.
It’s more common in American English than British English, though it’s understood in both. This sign-off works best when you’re confident the message should feel warm and trustworthy. If you’re writing something serious or emotional in a professional setting, Sincerely yours adds a deeper sense of trust to your words. That little twist from “Sincerely” to “Sincerely yours” makes a big difference.
Faithfully
Faithfully is rarely used in the U.S., but it still holds value in extremely formal situations. In British English, it’s commonly used when the sender doesn’t know the name of the recipient. So instead of writing “Dear Mr. Adams,” you might write “Dear Sir or Madam,” and end with “Yours faithfully.”
This sign-off is mostly seen in job applications, reference letters, or legal documents. In American writing, it’s considered quite traditional and is only used for very specific cases. Still, knowing how and when to use “Faithfully” gives you more range, especially if you’re dealing with international communication or old-school formalities. It also adds a touch of class to your correspondence.
Friendly Closings
There are times when your message doesn’t need to sound so strict. If you’re emailing someone you know well or working in a more casual office, these friendly closings help you keep your tone warm without losing respect. People in creative industries or small teams often choose friendlier sign-offs because they feel more genuine. These are also great for holiday messages or informal conversations with clients.
Warm wishes is a lovely choice when you’re ending a message on a cheerful or seasonal note. It can be used in thank-you emails, newsletters, or friendly professional exchanges. It shows that you’re not just ending the message out of habit, but that you’re sending some good energy along with your words. Cheers is a fun, modern option, especially popular in tech, startups, or design-related fields. It’s casual, upbeat, and leaves a positive impression. If you want something a bit more relaxed but still caring, Take care fits nicely. It’s perfect when writing to someone who’s been unwell, going through a tough time, or just someone you want to show a little extra kindness to.
Creative and Personalized Endings
Sometimes, a plain ending doesn’t match your tone. Maybe you’re sending a follow-up to someone you’ve worked closely with or writing a personal note from your business. In these cases, adding a creative or personalized closing makes your message more memorable.
With gratitude shows deep appreciation and is great for thank-you messages, testimonials, or feedback emails. It communicates more emotion than “Thanks” and makes your message feel thoughtful. Yours truly is traditional but still has a heartfelt tone. It’s a good fit for professional notes that still need to feel warm, like letters to long-term clients or mentors. If you’re writing a super casual or fun message, “Stay awesome” brings energy and personality. It’s informal and playful, so only use it when the relationship allows it.
Empathetic Closings
In tough times, your message needs more than professionalism. It needs empathy. Whether someone is dealing with loss, stress, or illness, your sign-off should show care. These closings add emotional support and help the recipient feel comforted.
Sympathy is respectful and comforting. It’s most often used in condolence letters or messages of loss. It acknowledges someone’s grief in a formal but heartfelt way. Thinking of you is softer and more personal. It’s suitable for messages to friends, colleagues, or clients who are going through difficult situations. Both of these phrases offer emotional connection without overstepping boundaries.
Conclusion
Here’s a 90-word conclusion using your focus keyword “12 Other Ways to Say ‘Sincerely’” naturally:
Finding the perfect closing for your message can make all the difference. While “Sincerely” is a classic, these 12 other ways to say “Sincerely” offer more tailored, expressive options to match your tone and relationship with the reader. Whether you’re writing a business email, a thank-you note, or a message of support, the right sign-off adds warmth, clarity, and professionalism. From “Best regards” to “In sympathy,” each option helps you end on a strong note that fits the moment and leaves a lasting impression.
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