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
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Recent Examples of politeness
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
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
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Keeping devices in your bag during the meal is about more than just manners.—
Maggie Hennessy,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Oct. 2025
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There are so many different manners in which our teachers, staff, parents and community partners communicate.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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With more than 15,000 employees, Tomasso has penned over 500 notes—and believes the small gesture has an outsized impact.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
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La Traverse wore a black velvet bow tie by Italian designer Mani del Sud featuring a metal rose as a nod to the gesture.—
Lex Goldstein,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His possession-by-possession attentiveness was not good.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Viewer Reactions Instagram users instantly flocked to the video, touched by Rusty's attentiveness and curiosity.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Check out a first look at Deadwyler’s character, courtesy of HBO, below.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
17 Oct. 2025
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The show also featured a number of musical performances courtesy of TWICE, Karol G, Madison Beer and Missy Elliott.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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There was such a sense of dignity to the four-poster bed, such elegance.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
15 Oct. 2025
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Fast-forward to the 20th century, and moccasins have become a popular casual shoe, combining the sleek elegance of a penny loafer with the secure lacing of a boat shoe—and the comfort level of Ugg boots.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Glamour,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Republicans defended Kirk, condemning the political violence that led to his death and calling for civility.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Although there are spas and wellness spaces throughout the city, none were serving her immediate community and, in my experience, none are curated with as much thoughtfulness and care.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Oct. 2025
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This level of thoughtfulness is nothing new for him, though.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politeness. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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