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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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American elites aped European fashions, art, and manners, and Europeans admired American energy and efficiency.—
Eliot A. Cohen,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Other camellia species were noted and grown for their flowers gracing gardens of temples and nobility.—
Dawn Pettinelli,
Hartford Courant,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The encounter amounts to a philosophical definition of nobility as something that owes nothing to titles or traditions.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Aman’s signature quiet elegance will be evident throughout the interior, with refined, minimalist decor that takes inspiration from ryokans (Japanese inns).—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The Valentino woman was one who would hold themselves with confidence and a lady-like elegance.—
Jye Marshall,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This time, Industry unfolds as a sharp, uncomfortable on-the-nose commentary of modern politics, media, technocrats and the seemingly-immovable aristocracy of British society.—
Chloe Laws,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
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To paraphrase a member of the European aristocracy, even Louis Vuitton and Bravo casting directors make mistakes.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
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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
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This superficial politeness hinders effective decision-making, erodes accountability, and leaves teams ill-equipped for pressure.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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There’s a relief that comes with this territory for City, shaking off footballing politeness and slipping into those comfy only-for-home joggers.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Luxury service on a yacht is defined by seamless attentiveness, privacy and hyper-personalized care.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
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Good care requires a level of presence and attentiveness that just can’t be scaled.—
Jen Zamzow,
The Conversation,
17 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gentility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gentility. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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