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
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.
—
Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
In Comfort or Bentley mode, the ride is expectedly genteel, the cabin poshly dressed in two-tone leather and new diamond quilting developed solely for this latest Speed variant.
—Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Kirchner and others, who’d met in the PauseAI Discord server, thought that that genteel approach was insufficient.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
In Comfort or Bentley mode, the ride is expectedly genteel, the cabin poshly dressed in two-tone leather and new diamond quilting developed solely for this latest Speed variant.
—Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Kirchner and others, who’d met in the PauseAI Discord server, thought that that genteel approach was insufficient.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Jeremiah is a friendly, affectionate and respectful teen who is known for his polite manners and eagerness to help others.—
The Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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Present and correct, just in smaller quantities than previously, and now obliged to make polite conversation with Alexandra Champalimaud’s additions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The best actor nominee isn’t the only one noticing a significant change on the red carpet this season — though some events, like the annual VF Oscar Party, have always been more civilized than others.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Mar. 2026
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Denying them those opportunities in an attempt to punish their parents should be abhorrent to any civilized nation.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The poisoning of a champion stallion opens an investigation that starts to expose tensions and secrets inside an aristocratic horse breeding dynasty.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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The series begins with her and Jolyon’s wedding, and Francis certainly thinks that her six-episode season will be about ensuring her family’s ascendency into aristocratic society by finding a suitable match for her daughter June (Justine Emma Moore).—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Not a good idea when your intention is to be gracious.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Bottom-liners had also nixed Gehry’s original design for a more gracious lobby with a cafe out front, not the gloomy one installed against his will.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Westcott said some of the subdivisions along the creek were built in the 1960s and 1970s when proper drainage was an afterthought and fences were installed in floodways.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Hayden said that Charles failed to execute proper safety protocols while Joseph crossed the street.—
Anna Meiler,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The executive pastry chef and partner at Birdee in Brooklyn, New York, uses slow-cultured buttermilk from local dairy Ronnybrook to make the bakery’s chocolate and red velvet cakes, as well as a buttermilk panna cotta.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Mar. 2026
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Kennedy’s own reputation as an arts patron rang a little hollow; most of the work was done by his impeccably cultured wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As for that noble Iranian game, chess.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
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This straightforwardly noble approach surely has some uses.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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The discussion mirrors other high-profile cases, including the civil trial between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, where millions of viewers analyzed their relationship in real time and debated who was the victim.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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