1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
those bygone days when young women were taught how to drink tea while wearing long gloves and other genteel ways of behaving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
she grew up in genteel old Savannah
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3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
the genteel ladies never mixed with the servants prohibited by reason of her genteel birth from marrying the man she loved
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4
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
his genteel gesture of holding the door for the ladies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genteel
Located between Austin and Houston, Washington County has preserved a small-town feel and genteel Texas traditions.
—
Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
But that proves more easily said than done when Ulysses starts to notice a few cracks in Normal’s genteel exterior.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Unexpected for everyone but Nancy, who has secretly invited a genteel Italian émigré and her eligible grandson to dinner, in hopes of fixing up her unwed pregnant granddaughter with a suitable partner.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
But that proves more easily said than done when Ulysses starts to notice a few cracks in Normal’s genteel exterior.
—Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2025
Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
Unexpected for everyone but Nancy, who has secretly invited a genteel Italian émigré and her eligible grandson to dinner, in hopes of fixing up her unwed pregnant granddaughter with a suitable partner.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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The place being a Midwestern park, the ghost is by all accounts pretty damn polite.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
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Hank’s voice is gentle and polite, but that doesn’t put Aaron at ease.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Gauls had been described as barbarians by Julius Caesar and Livy, but now had become these Ur people, far more ancient and civilized than their ancient Roman detractors.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
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Instead, Moon, high on ayahuasca, crashes a plane into their territory, effectively disappearing himself from civilized society.—
Maggie Doherty,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Despite initial criticism that the updates were too aristocratic or extravagant, according to the White House Historical Association, the architecture is now an integral part of the White House’s appearance.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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When both young people meet their end the Baron saves Christina by putting Hans’ brain in Christina’s body, uniting their blurred identities in a joint thirst for revenge, creating a Gothic avenger who hunts down the aristocratic ruffians who ruined their happiness.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This luxurious property sizzles with gracious elegance and impeccable service, eliciting over-the-top reviews from guests.—
Kathryn Streeter,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
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The fans are really, really gracious and excited.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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When using hydrogen peroxide, wear protective gloves and eyewear to avoid irritation, ensure proper ventilation, and never mix it with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaning agents.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
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Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His goal to seal the win against Italy — a lung-busting run and cultured finish in the dying moments — helped to illustrate the impressive engine at the heart of Cremaschi’s game.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Because each cell type is cultured separately, they can be genetically edited to study specific diseases or therapeutic responses.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The noble notion of authorship itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
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All the iconography and romanticism around the patriots’ noble cause can mask the contradictions of the era.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The criminal operations have gone largely unchallenged in Cambodia due to the complete dismantling in recent years of the country’s civil society and independent media.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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From their point of view, there will be a local council that will get a lot of money from international donors, but, behind the scenes, Hamas, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, will be able to continue to preserve its military and political and civil power.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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