COURTEOUSLY Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

courteously

adverb

Definition of courteously

as in kindly

with good reason or courtesy courteously suggested that we try other bookstores

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 courteously Two inspectors knocked on doors and spoke courteously to surprised visitors who displayed booking contracts on their phones, the inspectors’ bodycam footage showed. — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation. — Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courteously

Adverb

But as my husband observed and very kindly reminded me, many families here spend three or four uninterrupted holiday weeks together.

— Brooke Black, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
The Cuban government, predictably, did not take the report’s suggestions kindly.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of kindly

Adverb

The vocals from both Lamar and Rihanna cut through the mix nicely, and the percussion was nice and detailed.

— Christian de Looper, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026
Setting the shifting moods expertly is Michael Giacchino’s score that nicely avoids the clichés of the genre(s) while still honoring them.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of nicely

Adverb

At the same time, others argue that AI can be used to support learning when incorporated thoughtfully into the classroom.

— Corynn Winston, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Such was their shtick throughout their segment of New York Comic-Con’s Star Trek panel, which teased season two of Starfleet Academy before making time for Shatner to thoughtfully look back on the franchise that has defined his career.

— Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of thoughtfully

Adverb

Can his anti-establishment, punk-rock spirit politely endure an attaboy from the man?

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.

— Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of politely

Browse Nearby Words

courteous

courteously

courteousness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Courteously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courteously. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of courteously

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fervid

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes