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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of polite
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Barksdale was trying to be polite (and maintain her train of thought).
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2025
Instead, Storm reached the bottom rope to a polite pop from Glendale.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Sometimes the threat of a fine can produce better results than a polite request.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Adjective
These claims specialists were at least polite when it was determined no roof damage was done by nickel-sized, quarter-sized or half-dollar-sized hail.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Barksdale was trying to be polite (and maintain her train of thought).
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2025
Instead, Storm reached the bottom rope to a polite pop from Glendale.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Sometimes the threat of a fine can produce better results than a polite request.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
Everyone on set was so gracious and created such a safe space.—
Jennifer Adams,
StyleCaster,
5 June 2025
-
Though the mill and its towering chimney are long gone, the house remains—gracious, elegant, and full of period charm.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
The parliamentarian is the chamber's adviser on its proper rules and procedures.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
-
Sabrina Carpenter has shared her first proper single of 2025.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
6 June 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
-
Social media content featuring rude hand gestures was scrubbed from the internet.—
Stephanie Yang,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2025
-
Boxes and cylinders and prisms can no longer do that, and the lone remaining expressive gesture is to Go Weird, as architects strain for enough distinctiveness to produce a landmark.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
The text messages were largely between Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, and were obtained through a civil subpoena, Lively's complaint said.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Age verification for pornographic websites Texas enacted a law in 2023 that requires pornography websites to confirm that visitors are at least 18 years old or face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day.—
Melissa Quinn
June 9,
CBS News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Even among more respectable children’s literature from its time, Peter was a thoughtful creation, his architects never hesitating to use his famous credo: With great power comes great responsibility.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2025
-
The Nasdaq Composite had a slightly better session, closing at a respectable 0.32%.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
That includes modern appliances in the kitchen and new landscaping courtesy of Ivette Soler Gardens.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
-
Seattle Sounders are there courtesy of a historic Concacaf Champions League win in 2022, while Los Angeles FC benefited from a controversial multi-club ownership mixup, which saw Club León kicked out.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
The Feels is the brainchild of Allie Hoffman, who came up with the idea for a more thoughtful IRL dating event while pursuing her master’s degree from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.—
Deborah Vankin,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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These practices can generate thoughtful and detailed commentary.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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