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 The Dodgers should take the pressure off the players by politely declining an invitation to visit. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Harrelson offered a puff to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who politely declined. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026 The 80-plus consumer is not a niche audience waiting politely on the sidelines. — Ray Lansigan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 By then, von Stroheim had offered his services to the French army, which thanked him politely but declined. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 Sight and sound are the two senses that dominate any media-watching experience, and bad audio is enough to make your guests cringe and politely decline your next watch-party invitation. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026 For your best shot at scoring a free pillow or blanket, Neugarten recommends waiting until the main service is complete and then asking politely. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026 Greta Garbo did her own version decades earlier, walking away at 36 without so much as a press statement and spending the next 49 years politely declining to explain why. — Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 2026 Contreras, to his credit, came out and pleaded his case politely after interim manager Chad Tracy had a conversation with the umpire. — Levi Weaver, New York Times, 30 June 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
  • Varsho respectfully pushed back on his manager's assessment, suggesting that the Blue Jays' effort wasn't the issue despite the result.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Those qualities, combined with nearly twenty years of courtroom experience, have prepared me to serve fairly, respectfully, and impartially as a County Court Judge.
    — Schnelle Tonge, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
Definition of respectfully
Adverb
  • 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
  • Trump separately was found civilly liable by another Manhattan federal court jury for having defamed Carroll.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 29 June 2026
Definition of civilly
Adverb
  • 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
  • Some will crawl onto your lap or pause for a pet, while others shyly observe the park’s visitors from the tree branches overhead.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2026
Definition of shyly

Browse Nearby Words

polite
politely
politeness
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Cite this Entry

“Politely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politely. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of politely for Spanish Speakers

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