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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective polite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of polite are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and gallant. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

When might chivalrous be a better fit than polite?

The synonyms chivalrous and polite are sometimes interchangeable, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When is civil a more appropriate choice than polite?

Although the words civil and polite have much in common, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When is it sensible to use courteous instead of polite?

The meanings of courteous and polite largely overlap; however, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

How are the words gallant and chivalrous related as synonyms of polite?

Both gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. Gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

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 polite The thing is, most small talk feels like a polite but boring game of ping-pong. Maya Rossignac-Milon erica Boothby, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025 Bureau found the youngster to be respectful, polite and well-mannered but, unlike at Avallon, quite shy and hesitant to speak in front of the group. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025 Most local influencers have been polite and haven't come in expecting anything. Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 15 Oct. 2025 The younger woman smiling coyly, as if with a secret, while the older of the two, still young herself, anxious and polite, looks at the strange columns in the kitchen, trying not to be rude about it. Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
  • This luxurious property sizzles with gracious elegance and impeccable service, eliciting over-the-top reviews from guests.
    Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The fans are really, really gracious and excited.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • When using hydrogen peroxide, wear protective gloves and eyewear to avoid irritation, ensure proper ventilation, and never mix it with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaning agents.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.
    Walden Green, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The criminal operations have gone largely unchallenged in Cambodia due to the complete dismantling in recent years of the country’s civil society and independent media.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
  • From their point of view, there will be a local council that will get a lot of money from international donors, but, behind the scenes, Hamas, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, will be able to continue to preserve its military and political and civil power.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • There are a lot of very respectable academics that have done a lot of really amazing work in Black Studies and Africana Studies.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • As for the rest, Derby rallied to finish a remarkable third (eventually losing to Queens Park Rangers in the play-off final), while Middlesbrough (12th), Bolton (14th) and Wednesday (16th) claimed a respectable mid-table berth.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • For a thoughtful gift, package Joanna Gaines’ vanilla sugar with a bag of coffee beans, a cute mug, or a small French press to create a complete coffee kit.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
  • For families who value that approach, Carruth’s books offer a thoughtful and accessible way to encourage shared reading and meaningful connection.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • California native of the week: California geranium (Geranium californium) is a perennial endemic to the Sierra Nevada that grows into a one-foot mound bearing flowers in white, pink, or lavender with large, highly decorous palmate leaves.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The staff is professional, courteous and cool.
    Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Here, food is art, service is courteous and the ambition to push our city's dining scene forward is present on every plate.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Overall, the sound quality is comparable to that of a basic Bluetooth speaker—more than satisfactory for an AIO PC.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
  • According to a poll conducted by the company, eight out of 10 users were happy with the experience, while another one in five described it as satisfactory.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on polite

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