Synonym Chooser

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 The reality is that those men are not of the chivalrous variety, and Charity, who literally wears her heart on her shoulder, is left melancholy. David John Chávez, Mercury News, 21 June 2025 Archie making deep, chivalrous bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch's shins. Audrey Schmidt, People.com, 4 June 2025 The chivalrous Ted, Leslie reveals, not only pressured her to abort their child, but enlisted former brother-in-law Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) to threaten her to keep away. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 May 2025 This chivalrous gentleman was joined by a starstruck insect. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for chivalrous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chivalrous
Adjective
  • The affection Agnes holds for her children and the anger aimed at her husband, not to mention a world cruel enough to rob her of a child, are both tuned with precision to crack your noble heart.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
  • For the Estarházy’s have been the preeminent Hungarian noble family, with origins in the Middle Ages and the greatest landowners, since long before 1776 was even a notion in the mind of Thomas Jefferson.
    Louis J. Esterhazy, Footwear News, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Delaying this meal was linked with greater risk of death in a sizable 20-year study.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 4 Sep. 2025
  • It’s been three weeks since a historic flood put the greater Milwaukee area under water.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The experience of secession, of war, of industrial slaughter and gallant sacrifice, of Black soldiery and humanity all reforged Lincoln into a stronger alloy.
    Jack Sheehan September 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The pre-match tifo at the Roker End depicted the County Durham legend of the giant Lambton worm, slayed by a gallant local hero.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That would be the honest, fair and honorable thing to do.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • This reversal deeply disrespects every honorable soldier who's had our Stars and Stripes draped over their casket as Taps play in the background.
    Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the AmCham Shanghai survey found 14% of the respondents reported the environment for foreign businesses in China was worsening, with the tech sector seeing the highest challenges at 31% of industry respondents.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
  • If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chivalrous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chivalrous. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on chivalrous

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