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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of politeness
Friendly or the blank politeness of impartiality?
—
Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
His father was William Shawn, editor for 35 years of The New Yorker, known for his own mix of politeness and steel.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
My own teenagers still remember a time long ago when they were given free Munchkins at Dunkin' Donuts because our server was so touched by their friendly politeness.
—Catherine Newman, Parents, 22 Feb. 2026
But don’t let an obligation to politeness keep you from clarity.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Multiple sources speak about his impressive handling of a tough situation, praising his politeness and professionalism.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Beyond simple politeness, being easy to talk to happens to be a powerful social and career advantage.
—John Bowe, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
This superficial politeness hinders effective decision-making, erodes accountability, and leaves teams ill-equipped for pressure.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The advice here is to stop overcommitting out of politeness.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
His father was William Shawn, editor for 35 years of The New Yorker, known for his own mix of politeness and steel.
—Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026
My own teenagers still remember a time long ago when they were given free Munchkins at Dunkin' Donuts because our server was so touched by their friendly politeness.
—Catherine Newman, Parents, 22 Feb. 2026
But don’t let an obligation to politeness keep you from clarity.
—R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Multiple sources speak about his impressive handling of a tough situation, praising his politeness and professionalism.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Beyond simple politeness, being easy to talk to happens to be a powerful social and career advantage.
—John Bowe, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
This superficial politeness hinders effective decision-making, erodes accountability, and leaves teams ill-equipped for pressure.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The advice here is to stop overcommitting out of politeness.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politeness
Noun
-
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The manners by which stories of heroes were conveyed in antiquity were not so unlike the comic books, movies and TV shows, games, and high-profile PR events of the Marvel Universe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are, however, a few charming gestures towards camping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
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Small gestures could inspire major support from your community.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Privacy Policy Check out our other newsletters Following her most intense period of celebrity in 1939, courtesy of the exuberant GE PR machine, Katharine returned to her science, and in the never-a-dull-moment department, science with Irving Langmuir.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
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The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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
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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
-
There’s even a little bit of elegance to the way the first three episodes are delivered through Eleanor’s perspective, followed by two Nancy episodes and two Mary episodes.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The living quarters exude a minimalist elegance, with natural materials and soft textures throughout.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In November, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also encouraged travelers to use headphones as part of a civility campaign, according to Spectrum News.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
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After a career defined by playing gangsters, an avenging taxi driver and a paranoid prize fighter, the Oscar-winning actor recited a call for civility, as first spoken by Abraham Lincoln.—
Hillel Italie,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Parents can mention traits like creativity, curiosity, humor, thoughtfulness or bravery and ask which ones feel true to them.—
Reem Raouda,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
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Humility and thoughtfulness are the right lessons to learn from these conflicts.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politeness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politeness. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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