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
Even much of the criticism of Musk was relatively genteel.
—
Jake Lahut, Wired News, 6 June 2025
Irving Thalberg, born in 1899, grew up in the genteel Brooklyn of German-Jewish doctors and rabbis, a world apart from Mayer’s rougher caste of Eastern European Jews hustling for scrap metal in cold maritime Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
In its early days, it was reviled by some critics as a jarring intrusion on the genteel Georgian symmetry of the square.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 June 2025
On April 7th, as a cold rain fell on Washington, a couple of hundred people gathered in a hotel ballroom near Dupont Circle, in a spirit of genteel resistance.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Jake Lahut, Wired News, 6 June 2025
Irving Thalberg, born in 1899, grew up in the genteel Brooklyn of German-Jewish doctors and rabbis, a world apart from Mayer’s rougher caste of Eastern European Jews hustling for scrap metal in cold maritime Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
In its early days, it was reviled by some critics as a jarring intrusion on the genteel Georgian symmetry of the square.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 June 2025
On April 7th, as a cold rain fell on Washington, a couple of hundred people gathered in a hotel ballroom near Dupont Circle, in a spirit of genteel resistance.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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If a client goes quiet, a polite but firm follow-up message outlining next steps can nudge resolution.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
The mother is friendly and the son is quiet and polite.—
Rebecca Chace
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is far, far beneath the dignity of a civilized society.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
12 July 2025
-
Honoring and showing gratitude to those who step up to help others regardless of their origins is one sign of a civilized society that recognizes the worth of all human beings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike many royal spouses of the past, Princess Kate wasn't born into an aristocratic family with nobility or royal titles.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
In an aristocratic residence near Cassis on the Mediterranean coast, Camp Joli is prepping itself for its second season.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
The man was gifted, gracious, often generous and seldom mean-spirited.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
10 July 2025
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But goodness gracious, the Rockies are only (14-36) under Schaeffer after going 7-33 under Black.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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His uncle wanted to show him the ropes, but there were obstacles: equipment cost, building things to code, researching the proper setup.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
That means mow your grass at the proper height for your species and fertilize and irrigate correctly.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Forage Kitchen menu offers bowls, salads, wraps, kombucha and more In their new 1,800-square-foot space, Forage Kitchen will offer a make-your-own bowl option to patrons, along with their power bowl, Thai bowl and a cultured cobb salad.—
Liliana Fannin,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
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Look for cultured cottage cheese to get an extra dose of probiotics.—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Royal titles are reserved for those born into or marrying into the family, while dukedoms and other noble titles are passed down through a family or granted by the reigning monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
6 July 2025
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He’s covered in sweat and using a scrap of cardboard as a fan—not for himself, but for the tides of people who pass him, in a noble effort to keep them cool.—
Richard Collett,
Saveur,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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The couple first wed in a civil ceremony on April 18, 1956, before celebrating their union in a separate religious ceremony the next day, per the Napoleonic Code and Roman Catholic Church rules.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
The Combs allegations — involving two ex-girlfriends, graphic testimony and a flood of civil suits — made for ideal on-ramps.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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