politely

adverb

Definition of politelynext
as in courteously

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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 politely Latter-day stars politely shrug off the comparisons; fans are chastened by having witnessed how fame — and a craving for control — undid their favorite performer. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Suggest a timeline, assign a task, or ask the question everyone keeps politely avoiding. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026 Made by stuffing braised pork onto crusty bread and dousing the whole thing in a tomatobased sauce, tortas ahogadas are impossible to miss and impossible to eat politely. — Michael Snyder, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026 Though there have been tensions between Camilla and her stepson Harry over the years, royal biographer Tom Bower reported that the queen politely offered the Duke of Sussex a cup of tea. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026 Clocking in at 30 minutes, Williams’ Quartet La Jolla is a five-part work that politely utilizes dissonance and sometimes abstract rhythms. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026 Advertising was minimal, and displays of enthusiasm were politely discouraged. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 2026 Dibrov politely told him that Armis no longer needed the money. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 The manager can then politely ask that the food not be served while offering an alternative. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politely
  1. courteously
  2. respectfully
  3. civilly
  4. shyly
Adverb
  • Two inspectors knocked on doors and spoke courteously to surprised visitors who displayed booking contracts on their phones, the inspectors’ bodycam footage showed.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation.
    — Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of courteously
Adverb
  • But those were minor wins in the battle to more fully and respectfully recognize the burial ground.
    — Oliver Wu, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Higgins encourages guests to stay mindful during excursions, engage respectfully with local communities, and embrace the customs and traditions that make each destination unique.
    — Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of respectfully
Adverb
  • Those held by Customs and Border Protection near the border, or by ICE in the country’s interior, are civilly detained for the purpose of removal proceedings.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The prosecutor’s office said it was notified the following week that the hospital would not civilly commit him, and he was released.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of civilly
Adverb
  • At one moment, the young prince glances down with his doe eyes before looking shyly off to the side at his mom and breaking out into a giggle.
    — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Burke entered the packed courtroom with shackles around his waist and, for a brief moment, seemed to smile shyly at the room.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
Definition of shyly

Browse Nearby Words

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politely
politeness
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Cite this Entry

“Politely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politely. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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