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 drama follows a woman born into modest circumstances in Sicily in 1900, who goes on to navigate life in a convent, and then carves herself out a place in aristocratic household achieving happiness and emancipation in the process.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
7 May 2025
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Kollwitz’ life also coincided with the final days of aristocratic feudalism and serfdom in Germany and the nation’s economic transition to Industrialism.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 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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On April 2, Trump announced that proper protocol was in place to collect revenue on small-value packages sent through the international postal network.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
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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Housed in a 300-year-old colonial mansion, Amparo feels more like the private residence of a cultured friend than a hotel.—
Michaela Trimble,
Vogue,
28 Apr. 2025
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Gregg’s dance school, at the Bachelors’ Club in rural Tarbolton, was a steppingstone on Burns’s path to becoming cultured and, Innes said, most likely a place to meet women.—
Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Voices Despite noble intentions, California’s environmental law is hurting Latinos July 19, 2024 Rent in California is 50% higher than the national median, according to U.S. Census data.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
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Our characters deeply love each other, and the conflict between them is about noble issues, not petty drama.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The rules around federal civil proceedings are slightly more flexible, allowing for recording in some instances at the discretion of the judge.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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More than three dozen athletes have joined in a civil lawsuit against the DCI, alleging the agency had violated their rights and smeared their reputations.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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