1
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of polite
For one, our laughs sound different based on context — from a polite chuckle among colleagues to a full-bodied guffaw with close friends.
—
ABC News,
25 June 2026
An uncontrollable laugh when tickled is vastly different from a polite laugh in a meeting, an infectious laugh during a movie, or a nervous little giggle after making a mistake.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
25 June 2026
Babcock, in what is now his third chance after being unceremoniously ousted in Toronto and Columbus, was polite but defiant, excited but vague.
—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
That also comes down to Blackberry’s affable take on Southern-style etiquette—polite but authentic and real; formal when called for yet folksy and easygoing when appropriate.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for polite
ABC News,
25 June 2026
An uncontrollable laugh when tickled is vastly different from a polite laugh in a meeting, an infectious laugh during a movie, or a nervous little giggle after making a mistake.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
25 June 2026
Babcock, in what is now his third chance after being unceremoniously ousted in Toronto and Columbus, was polite but defiant, excited but vague.
—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
That also comes down to Blackberry’s affable take on Southern-style etiquette—polite but authentic and real; formal when called for yet folksy and easygoing when appropriate.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
The axe came down swiftly and brutally, but, speaking candidly, Geoff Daniels, PBS’ Vice President, Programming & Development, was gracious about it, thanking the audience of mostly media industry people for their camaraderie.
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The gracious — and perfectly acceptable — way is not to serve alcohol to anyone.
Adjective
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While some of the wives wouldn’t bother coming to games every Sunday, Michel said, many of the children saw the Feeney fathers as proper heroes.
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Files, buffers, cuticle tools and even gel systems can last for months or years with proper care, which means the math tilts in favor of DIY after just a few uses.
Adjective
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But this safeguard falls short — especially given new civil and criminal penalties for election officials that are tucked into this bill.
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Lizzo has strongly and repeatedly denied the allegations, and the civil case is ongoing.
Adjective
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Last year’s Superman was divisive among the hardcore fandom but grossed a very respectable $619 million worldwide, kicking off the new era of DC Studios under co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran on a promising note.
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Payload is up to a quite respectable Ford Maverick-edging 1,550 lb (703 kg), and towing capacity doubles from initial projections to 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Adjective
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For daily commutes and weekend trips, this versatile pack looks simple but is packed with thoughtful features.
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While no one can eliminate the risks associated with severe weather, thoughtful preparation can reduce those risks substantially.
Adjective
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This is a lovely, if rather decorous and reverent, tale of an illicit affair that’s unlikely to cause as much noise as Dhont’s last two films.
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But such disagreements tended to be handled with the decorous language of diplomacy.
Adjective
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Being a courteous cruiser helps everyone maximize their vacation enjoyment.
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Staff was very courteous & friendly.
Adjective
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For writing, editing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing, performance proved entirely satisfactory.
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Iran hawks and an array of dissidents and mainstream voices within the Republican Party have cast doubt on whether the agreement secured satisfactory concessions from Iran.
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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