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
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
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
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The layoff notices, approved by a 4-3 vote, target central and regional office staff, who were described as providing direct and important services to schools.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Cuba's communist government has implemented rationing measures to protect essential services in a country that was already suffering from severe shortages of food, fuel and medicine.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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However, the rich subtext of its casting adds a whole new layer that often promises to supersede these self-reflexive gestures.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
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Even small gestures—bringing in greenery, using textures that feel organic—can completely change how a space feels.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Bank of England, chartered in London in 1694, was a private joint-stock business but one with special privileges and duties.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
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Since their computer privileges are highly restrictive, experts believe Holmes and others hand over social media management to advisers outside of prison.—
Andrew Zucker,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Because in order to remain in the president’s good graces, his Cabinet officers need to please him by relitigating the 2020 election.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
16 Feb. 2026
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Her strange presence in Georgia — where Gabbard reportedly arranged for FBI agents to make a post-raid call to the president — looks like nothing more than a way to worm her way back into his good graces.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Still, the Huskies weren’t able to do themselves any favors as far as metrics go.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Gulf, and the world beyond, favors dealing with a strong ruler who can muscle his way through necessary reforms unlike, say, the situation in neighboring Lebanon.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtesies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesies. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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