as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 courtly
And so, despite some emotionally satiating patriotic rhetoric on the campaign trail, Carney was deferential and complimentary to Trump on his courtly visit to the Oval Office shortly after winning the election.
—
Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
For any living room that could use a charming focal point, this number from MacKenzie Childs in its signature courtly check indicates style and design know-how.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Not long after her wedding to Wu Ding, her father-in-law the king died, and the family was obligated to formally mourn and abstain from courtly life for three years.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
For any living room that could use a charming focal point, this number from MacKenzie Childs in its signature courtly check indicates style and design know-how.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
Not long after her wedding to Wu Ding, her father-in-law the king died, and the family was obligated to formally mourn and abstain from courtly life for three years.
—Literary Hub, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
-
The Bulls can’t play graceful basketball anymore.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
With willow-like foliage and deep pink blooms all summer long, Twist of Pink™ Variegated Oleander makes a graceful focal point in gardens and containers.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Waterfield was a handsome idol returning home with a championship to a movie star wife, in the golden age of Hollywood.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
The Paper Plane is like a whiskey and orange juice that grew up handsome, and for whom everything is going right.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And after all, luxury isn’t a price point, but an elegant state of mind.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The cap-sleeve, cotton-blend top features an elegant, drapy design in the front.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Slot bemoaned the fine margins but there have been far too many hard-luck stories.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Chips and dip are fine, but get creative.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
William is asserting himself as the architect of a stricter, more disciplined royal model.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal title in October 2025 and pushed out of his vast home at Royal Lodge after reports of his association with Epstein hit a fever pitch.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tilt and the gallant escort was replaced by a boy too traumatized to leave his mother’s side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
-
While Son of Hitler takes plenty of creative liberty when the titular character is recruited to assassinate his famous father for the Allies, the fate of the real-life Loret isn’t so gallant.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
