1
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polite
But the sport also seemingly wants players to be nice and polite in the middle of all that combat.
—
The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Although the wording included polite phrases, the anonymity left no room for conversation or compromise.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Supporters saw her as polite and traditional yet quietly stylish, someone who chose her words carefully.
—Reuters, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
Why First-Class Seats Aren’t Always Out of Reach Once upon a time, travelers swapped stories about getting bumped to first class simply by showing up in a blazer, being polite, or celebrating a honeymoon.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
The Athletic Tennis Staff, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Although the wording included polite phrases, the anonymity left no room for conversation or compromise.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Supporters saw her as polite and traditional yet quietly stylish, someone who chose her words carefully.
—Reuters, NBC news, 30 Dec. 2025
Why First-Class Seats Aren’t Always Out of Reach Once upon a time, travelers swapped stories about getting bumped to first class simply by showing up in a blazer, being polite, or celebrating a honeymoon.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
After the initial encounter, sending a brief email or text is both gracious and strategic.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Our recipe hails from Mary Ada Marshall, a resident of Smith Island, who was gracious enough to share her recipe.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
However, be sure to refer to your care label before determining the proper wash settings.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Old Medications Regularly checking expiration dates in your fridge or pantry might already be a part of your cleaning routine, but that medicine cabinet full of little bottles could go years without a proper cleanout.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Constitutional law professor David Schultz, who has taught a class on police, criminal and civil procedure, has some answers.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But the memory of decades-long civil unrest, largely ended by a peace agreement signed in 2016, is still fresh enough to provide a real-life context for Teddy’s machinations.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But after a transfer of ownership and a revamp of the voting body, the Golden Globes TV awards have gotten positively respectable.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Rookie Andres Borregales made 27 of 32 attempts, a respectable mark.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Some parents carefully vetted and chose thoughtful names to add to the birth certificate, while others undoubtedly may have selected them on a whim or as a result of losing a bet.—
Cooper Worth,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Soft, breathable materials and thoughtful construction have made the silhouette way more wearable, offering a happy medium between your comfiest sneakers and your dressiest pumps.—
Nina Derwin,
Glamour,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Let it be said, though, that ruling this fairyland—where sweets jump through hoops, perky as peppermint, or swirl around, rich as Spanish chocolate—requires not just a decorous carriage and a cordial disposition but true ballerina grit.—
Guillermo Perez,
Miami Herald,
9 Dec. 2025
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The affair grows less decorous in farcical scenes of upstairs and downstairs life — kitchen staff toiling away on blunts, a trigger-happy shooting party, and cockney pub patrons breaking out in song — and the various side plots.—
Elaina Patton,
IndieWire,
3 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Your selfish needs rule over being courteous and polite.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
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Taking turns, waiting for space to open up, and being courteous when standing helps keep the process orderly.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
To receive the senior rate, a person must apply to the Rogers Water Utilities and present satisfactory proof of age, such as a government issued identification card, driver's license, passport or birth certificate.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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His plan and his answers in terms of navigating those name, image, and likeness waters were not viewed satisfactory enough.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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