politeness

1 speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding the little girl's politeness greatly impressed her teacher Synonyms civility, courteousness, courtesy, genteelness, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness Related Words attentiveness, consideration, thoughtfulness; ceremonialness, ceremoniousness, ceremony, formality; chivalrousness, chivalry, courtliness, gallantry, gentlemanliness, knighthood, knightliness; breeding, manners; suaveness, unctuousness, urbanity; elegance, refinement; deference, respect; decency, decorousness, decorum, gentilesse, polish, politesse, propriety, respectability, seemliness; affability, cordiality, friendliness, geniality, hospitality, sociability; felicitousness, gracefulness; humility, meekness, modesty, shyness Near Antonyms audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brashness, brassiness, disrespect, impertinence, impudence, insolence, sauciness, shamelessness; boorishness, churlishness, clownishness, loutishness, vulgarity; casualness, informality; delinquency, improperness, impropriety, inappropriateness, incorrectness, indecency; inconsiderateness, inconsideration, thoughtlessness; arrogance, conceit, presumption, pretentiousness Antonyms discourteousness, discourtesy, impoliteness, incivility, rudeness, surliness, ungraciousness

2 an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners inquiring after his wife was a simple politeness Synonyms amenity, attention, courtesy, formality, gesture, pleasantry, civilityRelated Words honors; ceremony, observance, rite, ritual; decorum, etiquette, form, manners, mores, proprieties; addresses, devoirs, greetings, regards, respects; favor, grace, kindliness, kindness; protocol, rules