1
as in services
an act of kind assistance
did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gestures
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
the greeting "How are you?" is often intended as no more than a courtesy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of courtesies
Small courtesies keep big efforts moving forward.
—
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.
—Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Leonora measures out her days in courtesies and slights, the former dominating the beginning of the book, the latter rapidly gaining ground.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
With both courtesies and catastrophes refusing to conform, the canton’s school board, publishers, and clergy were forced to produce multiple editions of primers, textbooks, and catechisms; sometimes five parallel print runs were needed for a population the size of a town.
—Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Leonora measures out her days in courtesies and slights, the former dominating the beginning of the book, the latter rapidly gaining ground.
—Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesies
Noun
-
There is a priority placed on prevention and providing services to children and families within the home environment.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Quiet, introspective moments coexist with more expansive, communal gestures, creating a layered emotional landscape.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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And the chairman and CEO of $428 billion energy giant Chevron, Mike Wirth, also believes in the power of meaningful gestures.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Andrew Arthur, a senior fellow at CIS and, said American citizenship comes with an array of privileges, such as access to public benefits.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
29 Mar. 2026
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The headache of muscling a bill through the Senate, a chamber with its own unique set of rules and senator privileges, was enough to keep Thune from pursuing reconciliation until this week.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In the days following Noem’s fall from the president’s graces and her termination, the pictures were taken down.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Mar. 2026
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That’s especially powerful when millions, or even billions, of dollars are at stake, and when approval depends on staying in the government’s good graces.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Democratic voters are demanding their leaders be more than backroom dealmakers and life-long politicians with the most favors to call in.—
Matt Chilliak,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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Brussels’ favors can be rescinded, reinterpreted, or tied to conditions that complicate operations.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtesies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesies. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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