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

This range comes courtesy of a 65-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery. — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026

The finale, which opens with Max pausing to observe a small courtesy before committing an atrocity on Crystal’s houseboat, closes with the Bowdens reaching for ordinary family life after surviving an atrocity of their own. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026

Rio Ngumoha scored the only goal courtesy of a big deflection 15 minutes from time to send the vast majority of the 42,204-strong crowd home happy. — James Pearce, New York Times, 30 July 2026

The vehicle’s unique look, courtesy of former Apple design chief Jony Ive, has proven to be especially polarizing, with some comparing the vehicle unfavorably to the $30,000 Nissan Leaf. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 July 2026