as in courteously
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Recent Examples of politely
My question is how to politely tell this man to stop.
—
R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Over the course of the afternoon, guests laughed about, grappled with, and sometimes politely skirted around the same gendered tropes that have existed for centuries, the conversation turning serious in some moments and silly in others.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Apr. 2026
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Annette and Curtis Williams politely chatted with Deery at their door.
—CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Ferrentino writes her in fairly rote terms as a bleeding-heart doctoral student in poetry, and has her politely recede as the play goes on.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Swift responds politely but cautiously, asking questions about how she is portrayed and flagging moments where the framing might shape readers’ interpretation of her intentions.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The show starts at the 1913 National American Woman Suffrage Association Convention, where Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) is doing what she’s done for years, politely asking for the right to vote.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Shortly before launching his solo career in 1972, Thompson politely declined Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s overtures to join what soon became the Eagles.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Over the course of the afternoon, guests laughed about, grappled with, and sometimes politely skirted around the same gendered tropes that have existed for centuries, the conversation turning serious in some moments and silly in others.
—Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Apr. 2026
The pressures of fame and the pains of Michael’s brand of friendlessness are barely explored, beyond the requisite scenes of screaming fans crowding outside the family estate and a terrified Michael attempting to get away from them (while still politely waving).
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
Annette and Curtis Williams politely chatted with Deery at their door.
—CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Ferrentino writes her in fairly rote terms as a bleeding-heart doctoral student in poetry, and has her politely recede as the play goes on.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
Swift responds politely but cautiously, asking questions about how she is portrayed and flagging moments where the framing might shape readers’ interpretation of her intentions.
—Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
The show starts at the 1913 National American Woman Suffrage Association Convention, where Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy) is doing what she’s done for years, politely asking for the right to vote.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Apr. 2026
Shortly before launching his solo career in 1972, Thompson politely declined Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s overtures to join what soon became the Eagles.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politely
Adverb
-
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
Adverb
-
Nakase respectfully told her no.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Rather than dominating the site, the structure hovers respectfully, while offering spectacular views of the coastline.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Dotter estimates 25 to 45 defendants a year would be civilly committed if the bill passes.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The bill also says that those blocking a road could also be held civilly liable for damages.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
And Carey, just very shyly, was like, ‘Yep, that’s my kitchen.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
So much so that after the discussion, Cole shyly approached the stranger.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politely. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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