as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Recent Examples of courtly
The pianist Steven Blier, who co-founded NYFOS in 1988 and remains its artistic director, is one of the most imaginative programmers in classical music, his myriad interests bursting the courtly confines of the vocal recital.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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Time for a graceful exit strategy.—
Kevin Brazil,
Harpers Magazine,
9 June 2026
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Chestnuts bloom in these graceful, long pine-tree shapes, which look like a symbol of something.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The European film commissioners tried to steer them away from casting a handsome actor as the lead in The Man Who Sold His Skin, Cheikhrouha said.—
Jada Yuan,
HollywoodReporter,
7 June 2026
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Then, Chan-wook tosses in a twist, and then another, and the film’s handsome veneer is removed to unveil the wickedly sinister tones lurking beneath.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Attendees marked the historic occasion dressed in traditional barongs — formalwear finely woven from piña, or pineapple fibers — as well as elegant Filipiniana outfits and ternos, the traditional formal gowns instantly recognizable by their structured butterfly sleeves.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
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Stay at Lucknam Park, an elegant country retreat near Bath.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Among the city’s finest is Michael Lepage, who has been honing his Paul Revere character for over 30 years.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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But in this case, store-bought is also fine—often even great.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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For the full royal treatment, book the seven-bedroom Royal Suite overlooking the Buckingham Palace Gardens or the 3,907-square-foot Presidential Suite, styled like a 19th-century mansion with marble columns, elaborate bas-reliefs, and space for up to 14 guests.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
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There’s no telling which, if any, of these tactics may be employed for America’s royal wedding.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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James and his teammates gave a gallant effort Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena, but the defending champion proved to be more than the Lakers could handle.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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But the Ballances were more than gallant warriors – in fact, a life-size oil painting of Marti’s great-grandfather Charles Ballance’s wife and children – including her grandfather Willis as a 3-year-old – hangs in a place of honor at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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