knightly

adjective

Definition of knightlynext
as in kingly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 knightly He’s saved by a drunken Ser Arlan, who comes stumbling into the alley and instinctively follows his knightly code to defend the innocent. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026 Far from a knightly war, the German advance in 1941-1942 against France was a dirty one, with thieving of private property and menace against civilians. — Christopher C. Gorham september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025 The entire Christian civilization on which our country is built is a knightly message to defend widows and orphans. — Fox News, 9 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knightly
  1. kingly
  2. princely
  3. queenly
  4. lordly
  5. royal
  6. gentlemanly
  7. regal
Adjective
  • The result, historians say, has become a centralized, more politicized spectacle, marking the national milestone as a celebration of an imperial presidency rather than a revolution from kingly rule.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • On the thirteenth-century tomb of Eleanor of Aquitaine, she is shown wide awake and reading, while her dull and kingly husband sleeps for all eternity.
    — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Definition of kingly
Adjective
  • The disgraced ex-Duke of York is rarely seen outside of his new home at Marsh Farm after his brother King Charles stripped him of all his princely titles and privileges last year.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Charles has since formally removed Andrew’s princely title and HRH style.
    — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of princely
Adjective
  • The Bronze Age cemetery likely held highborn warriors, contemporaries of Ulysses, but perhaps a queenly mother lay among them.
    — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
  • Just getting to see the queenly Williams in the Queen City seemed enough for many in the crowd, which robustly cheered each of her winners.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
Definition of queenly
Adjective
  • But the cruelty and callousness of the lordly class infuses it all.
    — Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024
  • The surge ended in the World Series, the lordly Yankees winning in six games, but Mays was on his way and Durocher gave him full credit.
    — Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
Definition of lordly
Adjective
  • While Harry and Meghan’s decision is a surprise to many, royal historian Ed Owens said recent events created a pathway for the couple's return.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The prince and his wife have been estranged from the royal family but are now returning to England with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.
    — Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of royal
Adjective
  • Likewise, the respite afforded by the twin hydration breaks has also reduced the need for improvised periods of gentlemanly repose, which in turn has lessened the demand for the chilly spray.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
  • Sean Connery first portrayed the legendary spy as a confident and ruthless Cold War warrior, while Roger Moore added camp and a gentlemanly touch to the role.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of gentlemanly
Adjective
  • The merits of Christopher Nolan’s adaptation have been much debated, but few could deny that, in a film of extreme narrative fragmentation, Hathaway’s genuinely regal presence insured that the emotional center held.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The actor arrived in a regal sky blue high-neck top with a long cascading train and clashing red lining — custom designed by Prabal Gurung — offset with a casual pair of low slung, non-maternity jeans by La Ligne that skimmed just under her bump.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of regal

Browse Nearby Words

knightliness
knightly
knights
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knightly. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on knightly

Nglish: Translation of knightly for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All