1
as in manners
speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding
was full of the same gentility and grace that marked the rest of the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nobility
the highest class in a society
as members of the gentility, they felt an obligation to help the less fortunate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gentility
The walk to the hot springs takes about an hour, during which the gentility of the allées gives way to the ruins of bizarre Soviet buildings of immense proportions.
—
Gary Shteyngart, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2025
During his adolescence, the sensibility among the youth was to turn away from the gentility of the race man and toward the existential and the militant.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Its noble gentility has been subtly adding to the DNA of the California sound.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Levinson, who can find warmth and humor in most circumstances, is naturally drawn toward Frank’s gentility.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentility
Gary Shteyngart, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 July 2025
During his adolescence, the sensibility among the youth was to turn away from the gentility of the race man and toward the existential and the militant.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Its noble gentility has been subtly adding to the DNA of the California sound.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Levinson, who can find warmth and humor in most circumstances, is naturally drawn toward Frank’s gentility.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gentility
Noun
-
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The manners by which stories of heroes were conveyed in antiquity were not so unlike the comic books, movies and TV shows, games, and high-profile PR events of the Marvel Universe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the context of the song, though, the ability to withstand suffering takes on a kind of nobility—not as a good in itself but as a sign of perseverance.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The most recent season featured Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) falling for maid and illegitimate child of nobility Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) over the course of eight very Cinderella-esque episodes.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Where dahlias and zinnias offer structure and bold blooms, cosmos add airy elegance to any garden or cut flower arrangement.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Its high-neck design and ribbed hem and cuffs combine classic Irish texture and elegance that also keeps you toasty while walking from pub to pub.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
According to Deirdre Clemente, a fashion and culture historian, the emergence of the suit as the standard for men in the 18th and 19th centuries was itself a rebellion against the ornate, flashy and colorful clothing associated with aristocracy.—
Rustin Dodd,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Film clips play silently in windows throughout the room, and even without words guests can sense the tension between old aristocracy and the rising influence of the merchant class.—
Jane Wooldridge,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The nobles and gentry—the billionaires of Tudor England—made fortunes from the reclaimed monastery lands and created a myth of Henry’s military strength and English pride.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Parker will play Mary Washington, George’s strong willed mother, while Rodgers will play Sally Cary, the charming beauty of the Virginia gentry who first sees his potential.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
His father was William Shawn, editor for 35 years of The New Yorker, known for his own mix of politeness and steel.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
-
My own teenagers still remember a time long ago when they were given free Munchkins at Dunkin' Donuts because our server was so touched by their friendly politeness.—
Catherine Newman,
Parents,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gentility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentility. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
