CHIVALROUS Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'chivalrous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chivalrous are civil , courteous , gallant , and polite . While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior. // a chivalrous display of duty

Q: When would 'civil' be a good substitute for 'chivalrous'?

The synonyms civil and chivalrous are sometimes interchangeable, but civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness. // owed the questioner a civil reply

Q: When is it sensible to use 'courteous' instead of 'chivalrous'?

The words courteous and chivalrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness. // clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

Q: How are the words 'gallant' and 'chivalrous' related?

Both gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. Gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy. // a gallant suitor of the old school

Q: When could 'polite' be used to replace 'chivalrous'?

In some situations, the words polite and chivalrous are roughly equivalent. However, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality. // if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

chivalrous

adjective

ˈshi-vəl-rəs

Definition of chivalrous

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature still engages in chivalrous behavior, such as holding doors for people

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How does the adjective chivalrous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of chivalrous are civil, courteous, gallant, and polite. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When would civil be a good substitute for chivalrous?

The synonyms civil and chivalrous are sometimes interchangeable, but civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When is it sensible to use courteous instead of chivalrous?

The words courteous and chivalrous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

How are the words gallant and chivalrous related?

Both gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. Gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

When could polite be used to replace chivalrous?

In some situations, the words polite and chivalrous are roughly equivalent. However, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chivalrous That’s who was more chivalrous. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026 The maid, in Pistol’s chivalrous estimation, belonged to their lowly number. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026 And as the Sheriff called by Ludie to track Carrie down, Lance Arthur Smith is warm, soft-spoken and chivalrous. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 And both the book and the film offered historically nonsensical versions of the Klan as an honorable and chivalrous group fighting for social justice and the virtue of white womanhood. — Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chivalrous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chivalrous

Adjective

The bones are impressive, with rare, double frontage onto two canals, and countless freschi, mosaics and other historic holdovers from its centuries as a noble home.

— Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
But Dovzhenko goes a step further by making his characters look less like statues than like natural features, the wrinkles on their faces as noble as riverbeds.

— Sophie Pinkham, The New York Review of Books, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Dealing with the British, his Tenzing is scrupulous and honorable, but don’t confuse that with subservience.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
My sympathies are entirely with Prince William, who's a thoroughly honorable, decent young man who's just had it with his brother and wants nothing to do with him.

— Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of honorable

Adjective

Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Storyteller Overland Powering up the sockets and appliances, the Gear Mode packs in 4+ kWh of Lithionics batteries that send power through a 2,000-W inverter and charge while driving through a high-output auxiliary alternator.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of high

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chivalrous

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“Chivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chivalrous. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of chivalrous

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