courtesy

noun

ˈkər-tə-sē How to pronounce courtesy (audio)
Definition of courtesynext
1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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

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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 courtesy This season, bold knits and unexpected color pairings are ripe for the picking, courtesy of Tory Burch. — Ciarra Lorren Zatorski, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2026 OutKick extended the district's response deadline as a courtesy. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 The rest of the kitchen is pretty in pink, courtesy of a rosy Zia Tile backsplash and mosaic countertops by Concrete Collaborative. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 Oct. 2026 Hell, even recurring characters drop off without so much as the courtesy of a sickening demise. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courtesy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesy
  1. kindness
  2. gesture
  3. attentiveness
  4. service
  5. manners
  6. privilege
  7. thoughtfulness
  8. grace
Noun
  • Patience and kindness can go a long way, Henderson says, and Seshadri reminds everyone to extend that respect to the airport staff and your fellow passengers.
    — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Be patient when a grocery store cashier with disabilities rings up your items — kindness can go a long way.
    — John Gill, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • One of the sweetest gestures during the Halloween season in Kansas City comes from one of the sweetest companies in town — Russell Stover.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the gesture sends a clear message that this is Luka's team now.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of gesture
Noun
  • Next-level attentiveness from friendly staff certainly helps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Pisces February 19 – March 20 Relationships benefit from attentiveness today.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of attentiveness
Noun
  • Edmond and fellow applicant Jessica Thibodeaux attended the meeting, and each addressed the council to discuss their background and interest in civic service.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Ground systems support the constellation and help sustain the positioning, navigation, and timing services used by military forces.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of service
Noun
  • The problem isn’t so much a question of bad manners or even of corruption.
    — Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On the Awesome Etiquette podcast, Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning answer your questions on, well, pressing manners.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of manners
Noun
  • Unlike the malware embedded in phone firmware, these Google Play apps lacked the elevated system privileges needed to silently install other applications.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Filmmaking for me is such a privilege to be able to do for a living.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of privilege
Noun
  • Surely most people would prefer to see big cuts to federal agencies made with thoughtfulness and care?
    — Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The thoughtfulness extends to every nook and cranny of the property— for instance, in the fitness center, guests can spin on Pelotons equipped with Hulu and Netflix.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of thoughtfulness
Noun
  • Keep your core circle close, but allow everyone the grace to navigate their own process.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe no scene better embodies Lee’s exquisite communion with his characters than his last one, which supplies them with a hint of grace.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of grace

Browse Nearby Words

courtesies
courtesy
courting
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Cite this Entry

“Courtesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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