1
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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 polite
Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Her polite deliveries of bad news are infuriating in a good way.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Wear old clothes and shoes Bring flashlights Watch for sharp objects
Avoid food waste
Wash your hands
Be polite and cooperate if you are asked to leave
The Fresno Bee
559-441-6005
Fernanda Galan covers Central Valley and California news as The Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter.
—Fernanda Galan, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Which felt like a polite way of saying the same thing.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Adjective
People need to stick to their ideals and be open and polite.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
Her polite deliveries of bad news are infuriating in a good way.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Wear old clothes and shoes Bring flashlights Watch for sharp objects
Avoid food waste
Wash your hands
Be polite and cooperate if you are asked to leave
The Fresno Bee
559-441-6005
Fernanda Galan covers Central Valley and California news as The Fresno Bee’s service journalism reporter.
—Fernanda Galan, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Which felt like a polite way of saying the same thing.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
The building itself includes 24-hour concierge service and features a gracious lobby with a residents’ lounge.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Throughout the conversation, maintain a gracious tone regardless of immediate outcomes.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Lawyer said the Derby makes betting as accessible as possible, from a betting app, to signs instructing you on how to place a bet using the proper terminology, to the demeanor of the Churchill Downs employees.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
2 May 2025
-
The short version is: With proper seasoning, carbon steel is essentially nonstick.—
The Bon Appétit Staff,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
This is not so much a question of good manners as good visibility.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2025
-
Minding your manners will make the trip better for everyone.—
Zach Wichter,
USA TODAY,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
This little gesture offers them a sense of control after having recently lost it.—
Caroline Fleck, Contributor,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2025
-
In an uncommon gesture, Iran also joined in condemning the killings.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The civil suits are the only remaining legal effort to hold the president accountable for the riot, after two criminal cases against Trump tied to Jan. 6 crumbled last year.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The disastrous event led to its organizer pleading guilty to wire fraud and settling a class-action civil suit.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The definitions of what’s crazy, what’s malicious, what’s polite, normal, and respectable all lost some of their force.—
Michael Brendan Dougherty,
National Review,
25 Apr. 2025
-
At least the fielding has looked respectable (ninth in defensive efficiency) and the pitching staff mostly holds its own.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Derrick White’s layup with 2:31 remaining in the fourth quarter tied the game at 91-91, but the decisive moments came courtesy of Franz Wagner, who answered with his own layup and another basket either side of a crucial miss by Tatum.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
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The group continued singing with other patrons, applying body glitter to anyone interested—courtesy of Glynn. Scherer, another friend who was cheering Gill on during her tap sequence, captured more footage of the fun.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Virtual work can be thoughtful, efficient, and sustainable, but only if the foundation is clear.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
The post sparked a thoughtful discussion in the comments, with one user suggesting that neither party was necessarily in the wrong.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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