Synonyms of courtesy

courtesy

noun

ˈkər-tə-sē 

1

as in kindness

an act of kind assistance

did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket

Synonyms & Similar Words

• kindness
• service
• privilege
• grace
• indulgence
• mercy
• benevolence
• favor
• blessing
• benefit
• advantage
• waiver
• turn
• boon
• dispensation
• liberty
• license
• godsend
• manna

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interference
• obstacle
• impediment
• hindrance
• hurdle

2

as in gesture

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

• gesture
• manners
• politeness
• attention
• civility
• etiquette
• formality
• kindness
• ceremony
• ritual
• greetings
• rules
• amenity
• pleasantry
• rite
• honors
• decorum
• form
• respects
• regards
• grace
• observance
• favor
• proprieties
• kindliness
• addresses
• protocol
• mores
• devoirs

3

as in attentiveness

speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding

a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attentiveness
• manners
• thoughtfulness
• gallantry
• courteousness
• elegance
• politeness
• graciousness
• hospitality
• civility
• gentility
• gracefulness
• mannerliness
• respect
• respectability
• consideration
• refinement
• deference
• ceremony
• ceremoniousness
• genteelness
• courtliness
• gentlemanliness
• chivalry
• breeding
• decorum
• cordiality
• formality
• friendliness
• urbanity
• humility
• decency
• politesse
• knighthood
• affability
• geniality
• suaveness
• ceremonialness
• knightliness
• decorousness
• sociability
• meekness
• seemliness
• chivalrousness
• modesty
• unctuousness
• gentilesse
• propriety
• polish
• shyness
• felicitousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• discourtesy
• rudeness
• disrespect
• audacity
• boldness
• surliness
• incivility
• impoliteness
• insolence
• shamelessness
• impudence
• impertinence
• vulgarity
• brashness
• sauciness
• boorishness
• churlishness
• informality
• casualness
• ungraciousness
• delinquency
• audaciousness
• discourteousness
• impropriety
• arrogance
• presumption
• indecency
• inappropriateness
• incorrectness
• thoughtlessness
• clownishness
• loutishness
• brassiness
• conceit
• inconsideration
• inconsiderateness
• pretentiousness
• improperness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of courtesy

Menin couldn’t pay the drivers even the token courtesy of listening to them. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 July 2026

After 45 scoreless minutes, England seized a 1-0 lead, courtesy of World Cup newcomer Anthony Gordon. — Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

My latest obsession comes courtesy of the Duchess of Sussex, whose smooth, radiant complexion is thanks to this underrated foundation from the brand No Makeup Makeup. — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 18 July 2026

Jeong Jae-eun’s Korean coming-of-age cult favorite Take Care of My Cat also is getting a 25th-anniversary 4K re-release at the Metrograph in New York courtesy of Kani Releasing. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 17 July 2026