1
as in manners
speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding
the little girl's politeness greatly impressed her teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
inquiring after his wife was a simple politeness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of politeness
Charlotte is not faring much better, immediately picking up on her outsider status in this lily-white town, and the way her new neighbors offer only bare-minimum politeness.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Altman wasn't joking about the price of politeness.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Mathis quickly dropped the politeness and threw some jabs before expressing concern over Brown.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
And yet, the film’s irreverent tone feels largely in keeping with the author’s own politeness-be-damned approach to children’s entertainment.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
The two men verbally square off hilariously, demonstrating the unique art of using politeness as a form of aggression.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
Altman wasn't joking about the price of politeness.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Mathis quickly dropped the politeness and threw some jabs before expressing concern over Brown.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
And yet, the film’s irreverent tone feels largely in keeping with the author’s own politeness-be-damned approach to children’s entertainment.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
The two men verbally square off hilariously, demonstrating the unique art of using politeness as a form of aggression.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2025
The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politeness
Noun
-
For my British mum, Paddington was manners, tea, and marmalade sandwiches.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Halsey might be welcoming fans back to the badlands, but that doesn’t mean people are allowed to have bad manners at their shows.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
This magical moment is a gesture of love and gratitude that lights up a smile brighter than the most grandiose display of holiday decorations, making every stressful minute of holiday gift shopping completely worth it.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Byrne tends to favor movement that’s kinetic but a little crooked—the sorts of blunt gestures that, theoretically, anyone can do.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Creating the menu for the new restaurant took that same attentiveness.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Tilting your head toward another person indicates attentiveness and eagerness.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Photograph courtesy Oscilloscope Laboratories 3.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
-
In between his different projects, Emms took time to talk to THR about The Choral, being part of the Star Wars universe, courtesy of Andor, and what is next for him.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The car embraces elegance without compromising on performance philosophy.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The house’s signature elegance has been woven into the styles, too, with the quartet showcasing classic silhouettes, subtle hues, and timeless materials that create a quiet luxury feel.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Sustainable strategy trumps transactional tactics Whatever personal chemistry—or at least, civility—Trump and Xi might establish won’t matter much if each country sees the other as the main source of the world’s problems.—
Christopher Smart,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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An indictment of all Western Civilization for being a thin mask of civility and propriety failing to cover the ceaseless butchery beneath.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Axiom’s Recipe for Success The thoughtfulness required for such high-quality pest control is reflected in Axiom's practical and scientific methods.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Behind the toast, there’s also a glimpse of Swift’s signature thoughtfulness.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politeness. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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