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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 Is there a polite way to ask for clarification on this point? Judith Martin, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025 Under the guise of polite party banter, the two trade barbs, each speaking on behalf of their respective cause. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 3 May 2025 To many observers, Modi’s success stemmed from his willingness to play on profound resentments, which for decades had been considered offensive to voice in polite society. Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025 Just remember to be polite, follow the rules, and treat the hotel staff with respect. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
  • Perry was also quite gracious when another fan in the crowd handed her an album to sign.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
  • And yet when people need a portal into or proxy for spiritual awakening, Alice Coltrane’s music often becomes integral, a newfound household name, because her staggered textures are gracious enough to accommodate both the ascetic and the philistine.
    Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • No agents would be put in the field without proper clearance, Covington assured.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Your pricing is too low to support proper delivery.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Coleman, a reverend and attorney, who devoted his life to fighting civil injustices and easing the burdens of those around him, died on May 9 from leukemia.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025
  • This could include legal pursuits such as civil lawsuits intended to prevent AGI from being reached.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • The maximum charging speed is a respectable 128 kW for the larger battery and 102 kW for the smaller one, which equates to a charge from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes.
    Utkarsh Sood, New Atlas, 24 May 2025
  • Duchene has a respectable 18 individual scoring chances in the playoffs, per Natural Stat Trick, including 11 high-danger ones.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Tesfaye’s bold and electric presence onstage and onscreen is an intriguing counterpoint to the thoughtful and soft-spoken man who sits for a chat about his movie.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Practice, Practice, Practice One of the ways that the greats prepare themselves for the biggest moments is through thoughtful preparation.
    Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.
    Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
  • Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But perhaps this is part of the appeal: his courteous approach may help juries see things his way.
    Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Weinstein says Steel’s highly courteous, but firm, personality could be an asset when Combs’ case veers in highly sensitive territory.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Air Quality Index (AQI), developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), measures air pollution on a scale from 0 to 500: 0-50 (Green): Good—air quality is satisfactory.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • In finding the right fit and tailoring these systems, a clear understanding of your business priorities and pain points can go a long way in choosing a satisfactory solution.
    Shiv Kaushik, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on polite

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