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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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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There is polite applause as Cristian Romero cushions a ball from the sky.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Being polite and understanding how to function around a group of people, being open and friendly.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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First-generation Vipers (1991 through 2002) grew marginally more civilized over a decade, but the original cars were essentially rag-top roadsters in the hair-shirt tradition of the Shelby Cobra.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, meanwhile, is located in the former hunting lodge of the Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg, and its Munich branch sits at the former Bavarian State Bank headquarters and the adjacent Palais Neuhaus-Preysing, originally an aristocratic residence from the 1700s.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
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Federalist critics in Congress argued the colonnades looked aristocratic.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After the initial encounter, sending a brief email or text is both gracious and strategic.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
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Our recipe hails from Mary Ada Marshall, a resident of Smith Island, who was gracious enough to share her recipe.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
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Old Medications Regularly checking expiration dates in your fridge or pantry might already be a part of your cleaning routine, but that medicine cabinet full of little bottles could go years without a proper cleanout.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Ono, whose upbringing was much more cultured, has more trepidations about agreeing to appear at every protest and support every cause.—
Whitney Friedlander,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
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The University of Bologna, the oldest in Europe, keeps the city lively, young, cultured, and healthy—there’s a medical school here, and Bologna and Emilia Romagna are top-rated for healthcare.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Researchers finally confirmed the noble identity of skeletal remains first discovered over a hundred years ago.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
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Guiteau, though, is a lot less noble than Garfield, and a lot less humble.—
David Bianculli,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The decision carried no criminal nor civil liability.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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The outcome could potentially have lasting ramifications for civil-military relations and the boundaries of presidential power under the Constitution, particularly during protest movements and domestic emergencies.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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