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
There will be others who feel this level of passion is good for a sport that can be too genteel for some people’s tastes.
—
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Bournemouth were portrayed as a fairytale; a small club from a genteel resort town on England’s south coast who climbed through the divisions playing their football in a tippy-tappy way, led by their youthful, clean-cut manager.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Bassist Horace Panter was from the genteel middle-class market town of Kettering.
—Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
And while Carter’s post-Presidential legacy often receives kinder praise than those of his actions in office, his genteel approach and appreciation for the country’s youth offered a necessary antidote to the bullish egos of previous administrations.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
Bournemouth were portrayed as a fairytale; a small club from a genteel resort town on England’s south coast who climbed through the divisions playing their football in a tippy-tappy way, led by their youthful, clean-cut manager.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Bassist Horace Panter was from the genteel middle-class market town of Kettering.
—Ian Penman, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
And while Carter’s post-Presidential legacy often receives kinder praise than those of his actions in office, his genteel approach and appreciation for the country’s youth offered a necessary antidote to the bullish egos of previous administrations.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Under the guise of polite party banter, the two trade barbs, each speaking on behalf of their respective cause.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
3 May 2025
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To many observers, Modi’s success stemmed from his willingness to play on profound resentments, which for decades had been considered offensive to voice in polite society.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Blending Islamic and secular visions for the new nation, the five pillars are a belief in God, civilized humanity, national unity, democracy, and social justice for all.—
Lindsey McGinnis,
Christian Science Monitor,
1 May 2025
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Far removed from and entirely without protection of the courts of civilized life, these fortune-seekers made laws to meet their varying emergencies.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The original show’s focus was Thomas Ravenel and Shep Rose, two male members of the aristocratic class in South Carolina.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
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But by the 18th century the Republic of Venice was in decline, and some aristocratic families, though still noble in name, had lost much of their wealth and could not afford a substantial dowry.—
Manuela Callari,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The building itself includes 24-hour concierge service and features a gracious lobby with a residents’ lounge.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
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Throughout the conversation, maintain a gracious tone regardless of immediate outcomes.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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By the later seasons, the familiar of the house Guillermo (played by the delightful Harvey Guillén) gives us a proper Gay Storyline™ that will really tear your heartstrings.—
James Factora,
Them.,
2 May 2025
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Fortunately, with proper treatment, Bauer says, halitosis often becomes much less offensive. Rashes Parikh sees lots of patients with rashes at this time of year, and many don’t realize a pollen allergy could be the culprit.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Neither Eriksson nor Capello seemed particularly determined to evolve the style of play and make England a more cultured footballing side.—
Michael Cox,
The Athletic,
20 Mar. 2025
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Wilk, an Israeli venture, focuses on producing cultured milk fats, used in making cheese and yogurt.—
Daphne Ewing-Chow,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But even if Van Hollen’s motivation for going to El Salvador was less than noble, the truth is there are things more important than the political fight of the day.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Apr. 2025
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The coat of arms above serves as the door for the ‘most noble, most loyal, most valiant and always loyal’.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The disastrous event led to its organizer pleading guilty to wire fraud and settling a class-action civil suit.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
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The civil suits are the only remaining legal effort to hold the president accountable for the riot, after two criminal cases against Trump tied to Jan. 6 crumbled last year.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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