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

Meet the baker behind Wilson’s cakes, courtesy of Sports Illustrated. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 7 July 2026

At the time, GPS — the Global Positioning System, a constellation of satellites that provide location and time to receivers on Earth, courtesy of the American taxpayer — was still relatively niche for everyday people. — Katherine Dunn, Washington Post, 5 July 2026

Argentina scored twice in extra time, with the winner coming courtesy of a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026

But perhaps his most useful—and rare—trait was the combination of his people skills and his financial background, courtesy of his early career at Morgan Stanley. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026