as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Example Sentences
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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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Their beauty also shapes traditional dance in Rwanda, with graceful movements performed by women who extend their arms to mimic the cows’ horns.
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The graceful trailing stems and showy flowers of climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala) look beautiful growing on pergolas and fences.
Adjective
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The new depot opened in 1912 and served for many years, although the handsome tiled building was razed decades ago.
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As Washington, William Franklyn-Miller is tall, lean and model-handsome in a way that feels out of period.
Adjective
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The result is an elegant estate where guests can have a refined Irish breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea or cocktails come sunset.
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Upano’s operatic scope and clean, elegant sentences really swept me off my feet.
Adjective
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And Beale is perfect as the politically savvy, fine-food-loving Ser Simon, joining in Season 2.
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Los Angeles will shell out $120,000 for outside lawyers to fight a lawsuit filed by Councilmember John Lee challenging an ethics fine.
Adjective
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The historic celebration, watched by hundreds of millions, had Hollywood appeal, welcoming Serena Williams, Idris Elba, David and Victoria Beckham and George Clooney, in addition to the royal family members in attendance.
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Rosewood Fuschl’s Sissi suite can easily be considered a highlight with a freestanding bathtub, a century-old wooden wardrobe, and fluttering fabric panels around the bed (the modern interpretation of a royal four-poster bed).
Adjective
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Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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