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 are contemporary costumes, hairstyles, props, scenic elements and characters’ line delivery, but central character Blanche DuBois seems to exist, both mentally and physically, in the more genteel South of the 1930s.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2025
His fiction is set all over the place—genteel backwaters like Miami, Hollywood, and Atlantic City, with excursions as far afield as the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Israel.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Appropriately, the 31-year-old actress speaks with a genteel British accent—something that might surprise those who know her as Jinny St. George, the ambitious, new-money American girl in The Buccaneers, Apple TV+’s Gilded Age drama, which is currently in its second season.
—Paulina Prosnitz, Air Mail, 28 June 2025
As the three stories become more intertwined, the genteel politeness on display at the start of the film falls away, revealing an unsettling core.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2025
His fiction is set all over the place—genteel backwaters like Miami, Hollywood, and Atlantic City, with excursions as far afield as the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Israel.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Appropriately, the 31-year-old actress speaks with a genteel British accent—something that might surprise those who know her as Jinny St. George, the ambitious, new-money American girl in The Buccaneers, Apple TV+’s Gilded Age drama, which is currently in its second season.
—Paulina Prosnitz, Air Mail, 28 June 2025
As the three stories become more intertwined, the genteel politeness on display at the start of the film falls away, revealing an unsettling core.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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The pain of staying polite is losing the sale to someone bolder, faster, and clearer.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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But each polite knockback and odd digression throws out at least one casually sublime spark.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even the more civilized country to the north of us has the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.—
Walter E Block,
Oc Register,
21 July 2025
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But what civilized nation, confronted with hungry children, would not move to relieve that suffering?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The psychological drama, which stars Satya Dev in the title role, showcases an elaborate poster featuring the actor in aristocratic regalia surrounded by peacock feathers and ornate details.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
12 Aug. 2025
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The $80,000 price tag includes two people and almost all expenses, including five-star accommodations and a range of one-of-a-kind activities that immerse travelers in Italian culture, history, and aristocratic lifestyle, all in the lap of luxury.—
Rebecca Deurlein,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In her first interview as a filmmaker, Renée Zellweger is as gracious as ever.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Aug. 2025
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Its three-stateroom design allow owners and guests can enjoy weekend cruising, while the exterior promotes gracious outdoor living in the large beach-club area, or up on the sport bridge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Blackwood recently went to a hardware store where an employee had become known for her ability to mix a proper Carolina blue, and bought new paint.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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The suit claims the school failed to provide proper protective equipment and training to Wei.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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His mother was one of the most cultured people like ever in American social history.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
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Today’s buyers are in line with the financiers and cultured trust-funders the building has always preferred.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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By sincerely comforting and relying on each other, their love becomes noble.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
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Again, this doesn’t appear to be entirely selfless or noble, as these plans are part of his attempt to get time served for his two convictions of transportation to engage in prostitution.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Ethan Pines for Forbes A New York State appeals court on Thursday threw out a roughly $500 million fine that President Donald Trump had been ordered to pay last year as part of a civil fraud ruling against him.—
Thomas Gallagher,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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The Federal Trade Commission will continue to be prohibited from enforcing a civil investigative demand on the progressive watchdog group Media Matters for America, after a federal judge rejected the government’s effort to put her prior ruling on hold.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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