COURTLY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

courtly

adjective

ˈkȯrt-lē

Definition of courtly

as in graceful

having or showing elegance his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites

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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 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 This single feast, emblematic of Fes’s cuisine, carries the taste of the courtly table of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, the flavors served at the Alhambra in Islamic Andalucia, a blend of West African spices, and Amazigh know-how. — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for courtly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly

Adjective

Roman designer Ludovica Malagò, who cofounded Studio Malià with Gaia Rebecchini, demonstrates one graceful way to do so in this recent project.

— Francesca Longoni, Architectural Digest, 18 July 2026
Liu dazzled audiences with her graceful moves and flawless tricks on the ice.

— Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

This one had long, spirally fluted horns and was as handsome a trophy as anyone would want.

— Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026
The Vampire Diaries centers on orphaned teenager Elena Gilbert, who ends up falling in love with a handsome new student named Stefan Salvatore (Wesley).

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 2026

Definition of handsome

Adjective

That said, France were favourites in the last final and Argentina beat them, albeit by the finest of margins, recovering from the shock of Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick before holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 19 July 2026
The study combines fine-scale meteorology with detailed simulations of energy infrastructure.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026

Definition of fine

Adjective

Prince George, who turned 13 on Wednesday, will join classmates at the all-boys boarding school, which holds a deep significance for the British Royal Family and has a long-standing dress code for all of its students, royal or not.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 July 2026
In recent years, the royal family has faced numerous health challenges.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 23 July 2026

Definition of royal

Adjective

Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.

— Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026