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
The genteel dean of the Maryland delegation, who helped send billions of federal dollars to his state as an appropriator, was often a key negotiating partner for Republican leaders who maintained better relations with him than the hard-charging Pelosi.
—
Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
In Comfort or Bentley mode, the ride is expectedly genteel, the cabin poshly dressed in two-tone leather and new diamond quilting developed solely for this latest Speed variant.
—Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
In Comfort or Bentley mode, the ride is expectedly genteel, the cabin poshly dressed in two-tone leather and new diamond quilting developed solely for this latest Speed variant.
—Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Is there a polite way to ask her to address this, short of shouting or splashing?—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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Your polite fences invite stronger, healthier collaborations in the future.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In Raspail’s tale, hordes of impoverished and dark-skinned brutes from India descend onto French shores by way of rafts, the first wave of an invasion of the civilized West by the brown-skinned developing world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
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One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
From her former relationship with the Duke to her family’s cottage in Cornwall, it’s been hinted that Lindsay comes from a wealthy, maybe even aristocratic British background, yet she is treated like a concierge by Ava and her friends.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, once an aristocratic mansion, falls somewhere between the avant-garde works at the Reina Sofia and the traditional Spanish art at the Prado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bruce Childress, Maydan Market’s director of restaurants, will swoop in with gracious suggestions across price points and tastes preferences.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Servers are warm and gracious, while bartenders like The Cove’s Mario will learn cocktail preferences in no time and offer suggestions based on mood and palate.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Hot sleepers know the feeling of tossing, turning, and sweating through too-warm bedding especially well, but the proper seasonal bedding can eliminate this issue.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
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Everyone needs a release for life’s many frustrations; its just a matter of finding the proper outlet, before things get out of hand.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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So, their musicianship is deeper and more cultured, and the techniques are shared.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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The syrupy sweetness brought to mind a pancake, while the faintly cultured cheese turned it savory.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This was a selfless, noble act by Phil.—
Ron Mix,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
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The backstory The history of Il Salviatino dates back to 1447, when the noble Orsini family established their presence.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Jean Henri Petit, the head of civil protection for Haiti's Nord department, warned the death toll could yet rise, CBS News partner BBC News reported.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Traditionally, the attorney general’s principal responsibility is to defend the state in civil lawsuits, when a criminal conviction is appealed or if a law is challenged.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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