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Using the appropriate letter closing can save you from some TMI with the local florist, help you solidify that perfect cover letter, or show appreciation for someone’s time via email or snail mail.
Gifts to Pair with Your Message
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Informal or Personal Alternatives to Sincerely
- Formal or Business Alternatives to Sincerely
- Alternatives to Sincerely for a Cover Letter
- Alternatives to Sincerely for a Condolence or Sympathy Card
- Funny Alternatives to Sincerely
- Friendly Alternatives to Sincerely
To craft the best closing, reflect back on the content of your correspondence, and consider how you want to leave the conversation—so to speak. While the good old “sincerely” may be appropriate, it’s also dated and may lack that oomph you might be looking for. Explore some of the options listed to see what serves you best!
Informal or Personal Alternatives to Sincerely
This is a place where you can be as creative as you like. Alternatively, you can stick to some safe options that are both sentimental and sweet, perfect for an informal email, ecard, or physical card (like this small pack of blank greeting cards.) You’ll find both options below.
1. With Love,
This sweet letter closing adds more than just a simple little "love." It's perfect for an email, birthday card, or floral arrangement card. This closing fills the need to magnify your feelings, yet it prevents you from having to share too much with the local florist.
2. Happy Summer!
This exuberant letter closing should reflect the content of the email. Perhaps you want to express how you feel about the impending time off. Or maybe you've been having a wonderful summer and want to share the sentiment.
3. I hope you have a great day!
This letter closing takes the typical farewell and makes it into something so much more sincere.
It's the perfect closing in a card for an extended family member with whom you have a bond, whether they are an aunt, uncle, or cousin. The closing also works well for your yoga or Pilates instructor.
4. Warmest Regards,
This letter closing is appropriate when you’d like to sign off in a warm, empathetic, and caring manner. The closing also works well when you are on the receiving end of sympathy and goodwill like a funeral thank you card or a get well card.
5. Bye for now…
This email or letter closing is open-ended. It's perfect for the neighbor with whom you stay in touch or check up on as well as any old classmate from high school or college.
6. Gotta Boogie!
This text closing is perfect for that old friend with whom you spent most of your formative years. It may sound a little dated, but if you want to leave them with a smile and fond memories, this may be a way to do it.
7. Lots of Love,
This closing works for times when someone needs a lot of encouragement.
For example, if you have a niece or nephew struggling at home or in school, this closing would offer the support they need to hear. It also works as a sympathy message for anyone who has lost a loved one.
8. Your Friend,
While this email sign-off may seem a bit bland, it's the opposite of boring. The closing is really nothing but honest and completely sincere, which makes it the best for someone with whom you have a beautiful friendship.
9. Yours ‘til the Cat Meows!
This closing also relates to the honesty of a friendship, but perhaps this one is a bit more magical.
It's a beautiful closing for the person in your life who just gets you, and no matter how much time lapses, whenever you get together, it's like no time has passed at all.
10. Yours Respectfully,
If you’re sending along get well wishes for your boss or other company personnel, this phrase can tie up your message in a bow.
You can maintain the separation of work-home life while letting them know you have heard about their situation.
» MORE: Create a free online memorial. Honor your loved one, share funeral details, and collect memories and tributes.
Formal or Business Alternatives to Sincerely
The selections below relate to both you as the consumer as well as you as a business associate seeking information. Here, your correspondence will either resonate or flub, so pick one that’s best suited for the situation, whether you're sending a corporate sympathy gift basket or a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.
11. Cordially,
This ending is suitable for anyone who wants to remain as neutral as possible without resorting to the standard "sincerely."
It works well if you have met or corresponded a few times, but the relationship is very much in a business-to-business channel.
12. Yours Respectfully,
Finishing an email with “yours respectfully” wraps up a correspondence you have had with a business associate in some capacity or other. It is also neutral enough to make you feel like you’re on a level playing field.
13. Best Regards,
Trying out your formal email formula? Sticking with “best regards” is perfectly acceptable in almost any situation from a professional-professional setting or to a student-mentor setting.
14. With Appreciation,
Should you be looking for advice or help from someone in a professional circumstance, this could be a nice way to remind them of your interest.
Also, if you have had some prior contact, this is also useful to send in the follow-up and closing letter suggesting that your business needs have been met.
15. Warmly,
A lot of times over email, you can develop a friendly connection with someone over time and have shared some laughs over the long-term.
Ending an email with the word “warmly” is suitable if you have been working one-on-one with regards to a project. It may be a little awkward however if you send it to more than a few close work folks.
16. Thank you for your assistance in this matter,
This formal closing phrase may work when you have concerns or complaints with a product or person within the company. It can also be a way to find out more about an item's warranty, the company guarantee, or a possible replacement.
17. Thank you for your time,
When you are unfamiliar with someone, but you know that they are doing you a favor by addressing your query, saying thank you for your time is always good. It shows that person that although you are adding to their work pile, you also appreciate the time they spend helping you.
18. Your help is greatly appreciated,
Like the above, this closing reflects on your knowledge of someone having worked diligently to make sure your request has not gone unnoticed.
19. Thank you for your recommendation,
When someone has responded to your initial question, send your gratitude over by wrapping up your message with this.
Saying thanks for a recommendation helps especially if you are new in town or at a job and need help finding some things.
20. In Appreciation,
If all else fails, remind someone that you appreciate them for their work. If someone has gone above and beyond to help you, consider using this term to add the right ending to your message of thanks.
Alternatives to Sincerely for a Cover Letter
Finding a new job is already stressful, so don’t go over the top with a letter closing here. Keep it simple and let your resume do most of the talking.
21. Thank You,
This is easily one of the best cover letter closings to a cover letter. You don't need to put any more thought into it, and no one will look at it as lacking in any way.
22. Thank You for Your Consideration,
Sometimes the candidate pools are very big. When they are, this cover letter closing will let HR and the hiring manager than you are grateful for the time they took to actually read through your resume and cover letter.
23. Respectfully,
Again as mentioned above, using the word respectfully can help remind folks of your admiration for the work they do.
24. Respectfully Yours,
If you have developed a relationship with the hiring manager or a human resources staffer at a company, finishing up an email or letter with “respectfully yours” will let them know how much you value their help while maintaining the professional balance.
25. Most Sincerely,
This mildly personal phrase is a simple but effective flourish when you're filling out your cover letter for admission to an undergrad, post-baccalaureate, or master's program.
Because you are looking to cultivate a strong relationship with multiple mentors, being sincere helps when applying for a job afterward.
26. With Best Regards,
“Best Regards” can elicit a sense of understanding or a bolster good relationship you may have with an admissions counselor or hiring manager. It assumes a little bit more but remains understated.
27. Kind Regards,
This cover letter closing is next to the best closing to a simple thank you. It's also very understated, lacks nothing, and will not be questioned for impertinence or insincerity.
28. Best,
When you're just trying to get some experience writing cover letters, this closing won't raise or lower your resume's position on the pile. If you’re looking to wrap it up succinctly, this is perfectly fine in a pinch.
29. Happy Regards,
In the event that you’re applying for a job thanks to a great network connection, using happy regards can be a positive marker to top off your letter.
But also err on the side of caution if you’re not as familiar with the hiring folks or the people who will be interviewing you, as it can sound a bit awkward and unprofessional.
30. Best Regards,
And finally, “Best Regards” is the most accepted and succinct way of finishing up a cover letter. The closing says that you are eager and business savvy, and they have a lot to look forward to from you.
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Alternatives to Sincerely for a Condolence or Sympathy Card
Continue to offer emotional support with your closing words on any condolence or sympathy card using one of the following options.
31. Sending our love,
This message is a simple but perfect alternative to using ‘sincerely.’ Though you and your family can’t be there, it says you’re sending as much of your love as possible.
32. Our hearts continue to be with you all,
Writing that your collective hearts are with others while they grieve assures them your love extends beyond that hour or day. It’s also for every moment after that that your loved ones need uplifting, talk to, or a shoulder to cry on.
33. You’re in our prayers,
Religious or spiritual closings convey that you’re bringing loved ones into your contemplations, meditations, and continued thoughts. Share it with anyone who understands that this is how your heart works when supporting others.
34. May God hold you in His heart,
Here’s another closing that’ll reflect your religious values. The one just prior is internal and reflective, whereas this one is more of a plea for God’s assistance.
35. You are loved,
When loss is present, loneliness plays havoc on a person’s mental state. To help, leave this message so your loved one knows that there are people who think about them — and love them.
36. With deep sympathy,
Close your letter indicating that you share a common understanding of your loved one’s sorrow, pain, and continued heartache. Let them know you’re compassionate towards their feelings.
37. Forever in our hearts,
Though a person may have died, they remain in people’s thoughts, hearts, and conversations. Most people want you to continue mentioning their loved ones because it keeps their memory alive.
38. You’re in our hearts,
This closing indicates that your friend or loved one is in your present thoughts and will continue to be central in conversation or emotions.
39. Wishing your family peace and strength,
Sorrow caused by the loss of a loved one can be so overwhelming that the two things that are certainly toughest to muster are peace and strength. Wish that for your loved one and their family so they may find it sooner rather than later.
40. With loving memories of Hugo,
If you like or if the culture indicates it’s appropriate, go ahead and mention the name of the person who died. And then continue to keep them alive in future conversations or even gift-giving.
Funny Alternatives to Sincerely
Check below for sarcasm and humor using iconic phrasing from bygone eras, movie or television catchphrases, radio communication, and some obvious cultural references.
41. Rock on,
Never out of date is the iconic party and celebratory phrasing of ‘rock on.’ Use it to indicate your support for anyone maintaining that youthful rock star glow or mentality.
42. You’re a gift that keeps on giving all year long,
This phrase comes straight out of the “Christmas Vacation” movie. It conjures up memories of a non-nutritive varnish on a metal snow disc, frozen features while hunting for the perfect tree, and visits by the best-in-show family members.
43. Keep on keepin’ on,
One interpretation is to keep going, building, and climbing, or at the very least, maintain the current lifestyle. Another might be to hold steady until the storm passes.
44. God save the Queen,
If you’re a British Royalist, this closing line indicates loyalty, but it’s all about having a good time if you love the punk scene.
45. Burn after reading,
Here’s a closing remark for sending sensitive material, including secrets or gossip.
Or use it when your letter is completely mundane and boring for the effect of sarcasm.
46. Over and out,
When you’ve had a long talk via emails or texts, use ‘over and out’ to indicate you’ve reached the fullness of time on that subject.
47. Right on.
Some phrases have several meanings—and this is one of them. In this instance, leave ‘right on’ without any additional signatures to indicate and emphasize positive conclusions.
48. Power to the people.
In the 60s and 70s, this phrase meant empowerment for the masses. And like all good things, a lot of ideas come back around. So, if you’ve been chatting about making improvements in your life or community, drop this at the end of your conversation.
49. Damn the man.
Leave ‘damn the man’ at the end of your conversation stream for a genuinely sarcastic point of view regarding government, policy, and more.
Or insert it to mean that you support your friend’s journey despite the hurdles they’re about to encounter.
50. Be good and be good at it,
Using an ‘and’ in contrast to an ‘or’ in this particular sign-off is about conjuring the best of oneself when striving for improvement. Add it to your closing if you’ve just left an uplifting character report of your friend, trying to build them up so they can climb that mountain.
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Friendly Alternatives to Sincerely
Below are closing messages from the perspective of mentorship, long friendships, companions, and fur kids.
51. In Solidarity,
Being in solidarity means having something in common, being supportive, having the same purpose or goal, and having someone’s back.
Use it if you’re showing support for a friend going through a rough time or if you’re part of a nonprofit or social goods organization.
52. To Be Continued,
Long-term relationships understand life’s sequels and sagas. Over time, your conversations build and build into one beautiful story.
With this closing, you never have to say ‘goodbye’ or ‘farewell.’ Instead, you leave the ending open to whatever comes your way.
53. Aloha,
Aloha has a few meanings: hello and goodbye, living in harmony with the natural world, and respecting the earth and each other.
It’s not your typical closing from, say, a Midwesterner, but it would certainly work if you’re vacationing in Hawaii or just returned with a new outlook on life.
54. Peace out,
‘Peace out’ works for meaningful friendships instead of anything business-related. You wouldn’t use it if you were chatting up HR about a new job or complaining about a product. That said, it could work for your surf shop newsletter.
55. Stop being afraid of getting older,
Without sounding too pretentious, you can impart some wisdom in your closing statements that aptly apply to your conversations with others.
This one works for the person whose worry-ometer about aging is off the charts.
56. Remember - words and ideas can change the world,
If your role in the relationship is as a mentor or sage, leave lasting bits of encouragement in your email closings like this one.
Give your friends opportunities to realize their potential, intimating or giving voice to the wisdom they already possess.
57. Always in my thoughts,
This closing would work for those impenetrable and deep friendships. You’re not suggesting anything out of line or context when you use it. It’s really about letting someone know you value them.
58. I ruff you fur-ever,
Furkids are getting in on this action, too. This one is tame, but watch out for those goofballs who can get cheesier with their pet puns. Gotta love it.
59. Be safe, healthy, and happy,
Send healthy wishes instead of just leaving a blah ‘sincerely’ after your message. Wish them good fortune, favor, and more to show your overall love and support.
60. Stay as you are,
I don’t know about you, but most people start a friendship with someone because they’re unique and wonderful, right? Then let them know to keep on with all that loveliness and not change a bit.