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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
This spring, however, that genteel exterior is concealing a quietly competitive market underneath.
—
John Walkup, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Be Courtesy To Other Shoppers To a Southerner, manners are top of mind, so pushing, shoving, and being rude over buying things doesn’t jive with a genteel way of life.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
While golf is a genteel sport, Dunlap describes himself almost like an adrenaline junkie.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
But underneath this genteel surface are bitter divisions that erupted just as the institution struggled to recover from the worst event ever to happen on its campus, when Salman Rushdie was nearly killed onstage by a knife-wielding jihadist in August 2022.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
John Walkup, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Be Courtesy To Other Shoppers To a Southerner, manners are top of mind, so pushing, shoving, and being rude over buying things doesn’t jive with a genteel way of life.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
While golf is a genteel sport, Dunlap describes himself almost like an adrenaline junkie.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025
But underneath this genteel surface are bitter divisions that erupted just as the institution struggled to recover from the worst event ever to happen on its campus, when Salman Rushdie was nearly killed onstage by a knife-wielding jihadist in August 2022.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Padilla ordinarily is a very polite guy, extraordinary civil — calm, soft-spoken, the opposite of an aggressive loudmouth.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
-
Gentle readers often ask Miss Manners how to respond to questions put to them for which there does not appear to be any polite answer.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Iran has been stringing along international watchdogs and civilized nations for years regarding its nuclear program.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
18 June 2025
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The whole world, the United States, and Europe must finally respond as a civilized society responds to terrorists.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Period dramas like Bridgerton, The Gilded Age, and Downton Abbey have fueled a global obsession with aristocratic living—but the real stars of these shows may be the homes themselves.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
10 June 2025
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The Odeon was built in the 2nd Century for musical events and meetings of the aristocratic council.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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To their credit, the Heat have been gracious in their credit to the Panthers.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
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The food was unfussy and full-flavored, the service gracious, and the staff — from the spa therapists to the bakers — seemed genuinely happy to be here.—
Rooksana Hossenally,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
Talk to your provider about your symptoms and health history to determine if Botox is the proper treatment for you.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
19 June 2025
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The borrower acknowledges that the borrower is capable of using the pans in a safe and proper manner.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
The process is longest for tuberculosis, which requires samples to be cultured, grown naturally on special plates covered with nutrients, before they can be tested.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2025
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His style is based on a unique blend of physicality and cultured in-possession play.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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The Henckel von Donnersmarck tiara, $12.7 Million The Henckel von Donnersmarck tiara was previously part of the collection of Princess Katherina Henckel von Donnersmarck, a member of Germany’s noble family.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
13 June 2025
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Even Lucy’s favorite customer, Sophie (Zoe Winters), isn’t that noble.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Smollett reached a civil settlement with the city of Chicago earlier this year, according to NBC News.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
23 June 2025
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Still, even if Abrego Garcia is to be released, ICE will arrest and detain him immediately via civil immigration process, separately from the criminal case.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Mears,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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