GALLANT Synonyms: 344 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'gallant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous , civil , courteous , and polite . While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy. // a gallant suitor of the old school

Q: Where would 'chivalrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'gallant'?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior. // a chivalrous display of duty

Q: When could 'civil' be used to replace 'gallant'?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness. // owed the questioner a civil reply

Q: When can 'courteous' be used instead of 'gallant'?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness. // clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

Q: When might 'polite' be a better fit than 'gallant'?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality. // if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

Q: How does the adjective 'gallant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous , civil , courteous , and polite . While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy. // a gallant suitor of the old school

Q: Where would 'chivalrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'gallant'?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior. // a chivalrous display of duty

Q: When could 'civil' be used to replace 'gallant'?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness. // owed the questioner a civil reply

Q: When can 'courteous' be used instead of 'gallant'?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness. // clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

Q: When might 'polite' be a better fit than 'gallant'?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality. // if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

gallant 1 of 3

adjective

ˈga-lənt

Definition of gallant next

as in valiant

feeling or displaying no fear by temperament a gallant firefighter, rushing into the burning house to save the children a gallant rescue

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature a gallant knight the members of that service club are known for their gallant service to the community

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception a great and gallant sailing ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gallant

2 of 3

noun

gə-ˈlant

as in dude

a man extremely interested in his clothing and personal appearance he was quite a gallant, primping more than either of his sisters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slob
sloven

as in boyfriend

a man who courts a woman usually with the goal of marrying her she had a whole host of gallants vying for her hand in marriage

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gallant

3 of 3

verb

as in to romance

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gallant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and polite. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

Where would chivalrous be a reasonable alternative to gallant?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When could civil be used to replace gallant?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When can courteous be used instead of gallant?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

When might polite be a better fit than gallant?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

How does the adjective gallant contrast with its synonyms?

a gallant suitor of the old school

Where would chivalrous be a reasonable alternative to gallant?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When could civil be used to replace gallant?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When can courteous be used instead of gallant?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

When might polite be a better fit than gallant?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

How does the adjective gallant contrast with its synonyms?

a gallant suitor of the old school

Where would chivalrous be a reasonable alternative to gallant?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When could civil be used to replace gallant?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When can courteous be used instead of gallant?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

When might polite be a better fit than gallant?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

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 gallant

Adjective

Christ pulls him out of a tiny hole, like a gallant medieval knight rescuing a maiden in distress. —

Mary Dzon, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025 And yet, welcoming that idea can shock the system because our popular conception of the American Revolution is so often encased in bloodless, gallant myth. —

Sarah Botstein, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 In 1951, George Reeves played the gallant superhero in the first feature film based on a DC Comics character, Superman and the Mole Man. —

Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 July 2025 Fiennes exhibits that side of him without apology, which only makes his gallant side feel all the more genuine. —

Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for gallant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gallant

Adjective

Hundreds of firefighters worked to extinguish a massive fire that broke out at a warehouse near Miami Gardens in northwest Miami-Dade on Thursday, but officials fear that the blaze could smolder for days despite their valiant efforts to put it out.

— Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
There was a strong suspicion that the deployment of Meredith and his two valiant soldiers was more of a low-cost publicity stunt than a serious attempt to cull the emu population.

— Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026

Definition of valiant

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gallant

gallanted

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“Gallant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gallant. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 13 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of gallant

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noun

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