DE RIGUEUR Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

de rigueur

adjective

də-(ˌ)rē-ˈgər

Definition of de rigueur

as in polite

following the established traditions of refined society and good taste though he was wearing a dinner jacket and a black bow tie, his jeans and tennis shoes were hardly de rigueur

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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 de rigueur Menus from the brand’s Michelin-star-earning chefs are de rigueur, as are personalized spa therapies, and high-end boutiques such as Cartier. — Janice Wald Henderson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026 Such testimony is de rigueur in a murder trial, of course, but these exchanges underlined yet more unanswered questions about this case. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2026 Summers in the Big Apple can bring torrential, sudden rains, with water flooding into intersections and cascading down subway stairs, while nor’easters are de rigueur in the winter. — Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2026 The presentation will, as has been the case since 2020, be a pre-recorded video shown on the theater’s huge screen, doubtless with the usual high production values that have become de rigueur. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for de rigueur

Recent Examples of Synonyms for de rigueur

Adjective

The conversations remained cordial, despite vehement disagreements at times, with Talarico and the voters engaging in polite small talk before delving into, at times, heavy topics.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The application moves away from last-minute stress, unwanted items, and polite pretense, establishing a modern channel for intentional giving.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of polite

Adjective

Voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID may be able to cast a ballot using an alternative document and, in some cases, sign a Reasonable Impediment Declaration.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The other, which boards discuss privately far more than publicly, is what the regulator will permit and what’s politically acceptable in each market.

— Ciaran Cosgrave, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of acceptable

Adjective

For 26 years, Ecuador has remained immune from the plague of a currency crisis and has sustained respectable economic growth, low inflation, and surging exports.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Neither release became a theatrical phenomenon, but each earned more than $40 million worldwide — suggesting even mediocre horror films can get respectable returns when their premises are appealing enough.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of respectable

Adjective

Also, a foul ball hit by almost any player would be a nice souvenir.

— Scott Simon, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Sure enough, there were a few hares in the field and the grass was just long enough to give a bit of protection to the hares and set a nice backdrop for the photographs.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of nice

Adjective

An uninterrupted trip Stoliker thinks chaos is not a satisfactory explanation for psychedelics’ effect on the brain.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
After months of negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory agreement, the union approved strike action earlier this month in a vote held in tandem with unions at the Brooklyn Museum and American Folk Art Museum.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfactory

Adjective

There was just one white—Blanc de Lynch-Bages 2025—so everyone got that one correct.

— Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026
During radiotherapy, small tattoos can help clinicians repeatedly align radiation beams with the correct treatment area.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of correct

Browse Nearby Words

deriding

de rigueur

derision

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“De rigueur.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/de%20rigueur. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of de rigueur

adjective

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