1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
those bygone days when young women were taught how to drink tea while wearing long gloves and other genteel ways of behaving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
she grew up in genteel old Savannah
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3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
the genteel ladies never mixed with the servants prohibited by reason of her genteel birth from marrying the man she loved
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4
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
his genteel gesture of holding the door for the ladies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genteel
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—
Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Kirchner and others, who’d met in the PauseAI Discord server, thought that that genteel approach was insufficient.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
Starring Miami Vice legend Don Johnson as the genteel Captain Robert Massey, Doctor Odyssey made waves for its provocative inclusion of a throuple at the core of the drama.
—Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Dec. 2025
Photography was not an unusual hobby for a young woman of her milieu, and many of Austen’s early images depict a world of genteel Victorian amusements—parties gathered on porches and scenic overlooks, happy pugs, sunny days in leg-of-mutton sleeves.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
Kirchner and others, who’d met in the PauseAI Discord server, thought that that genteel approach was insufficient.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
Starring Miami Vice legend Don Johnson as the genteel Captain Robert Massey, Doctor Odyssey made waves for its provocative inclusion of a throuple at the core of the drama.
—Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Dec. 2025
Photography was not an unusual hobby for a young woman of her milieu, and many of Austen’s early images depict a world of genteel Victorian amusements—parties gathered on porches and scenic overlooks, happy pugs, sunny days in leg-of-mutton sleeves.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Wisman was polite and articulate — a good kid, but also different.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Gentrified neighborhoods displace Black and brown communities just as aggressively as ICE does, although with a polite smile.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Both expect their rivalry to stay civilized.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2026
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And that was the one that ended up being a really civilized breakup.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
12 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The American groups always had very aristocratic, wonderful names.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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According to English Heritage, the charity which maintains the property, the rooms were first used by royal and aristocratic children and their attendants.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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From the gracious foyer to the expansive living room with horizonless views, every detail signals residential grandeur.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Of all the Welk stars, the harmonizing Lennon Sisters have always been among the most gracious and congenial.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Seoul Central District Court orders Yoon released from detention, citing an unresolved issues about whether investigators had the proper authority to detain him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The Almanac recommends ensuring proper drainage in fields and gardens, rotating crops when possible, and looking for early signs of mold or mildew during extended wet periods.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Marty is not cultured, colorful and neurotic with a penchant for Yiddish outbursts.—
David Colman,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Feb. 2026
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Buttermilk Buttermilk may contain probiotics, although this is more commonly found in traditional buttermilk rather than cultured buttermilk, which is more widely available in stores.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In Vietnamese culture a teacher is noble and respected.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
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Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights.—
/ CBS Baltimore,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Now, with the DOJ’s civil investigative demand, the realpolitik of this merger battle has been unsheathed.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
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Failure to comply could result in civil and criminal penalties.—
Virginia Hammerle,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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