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
-
The ordinance applies to hotels, motels, all rental housing (including short-term rentals), care facilities, emergency cleanup services, construction and rebuilding, according to the DBCA.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Anything stand out about other services and features?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The latest $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display models have an in-lens display and can be controlled through arm gestures.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
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Simple gestures like setting the table and choosing a feel-good, relaxed dress even just to stay at home are the starting points of her creative process.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While Andrew was stripped of all of his royal titles and privileges by his brother King Charles in October 2025, Beatrice and Eugenie retain their princess titles and Her Royal Highness stylings.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
-
House Bill 4153 and Senate Bill 1538 would each require minors to meet eighth grade literacy standards and require Service Oklahoma to withdraw driving privileges if the child drops out of school.—
Emma Murphy,
Oklahoman,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But Epstein looked to get back into the billionaire’s good graces.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
-
These rewards might be personal, romantic or financial favors.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
22 Feb. 2026
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Old or Previously Boiled Water Leaving water in your tea kettle and boiling it again won't do your tea any favors.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtesies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesies. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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