Synonyms of polite

polite 1 of 2

adjective

pə-ˈlīt 

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

• gracious
• civil
• thoughtful
• courteous
• respectful
• careful
• nice
• friendly
• pleasant
• genteel
• civilized
• respectable
• mannerly
• graceful
• gallant
• elegant
• well-bred
• attentive
• considerate
• humble
• good
• appropriate
• gentlemanly
• solicitous
• acceptable
• ceremonious
• ceremonial
• chivalrous
• smooth
• meek
• formal
• hospitable
• courtly
• decent
• ladylike
• suitable
• correct
• deferential
• decorous
• cordial
• suave
• urbane
• dutiful
• proper
• gentlemanlike
• fitting
• unctuous
• affable
• submissive
• meet
• sociable
• genial
• modest
• right
• refined
• becoming
• yielding
• couth
• fit
• red-carpet
• felicitous
• seemly
• befitting
• unassertive
• demure
• comme il faut

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rude
• impolite
• discourteous
• thoughtless
• ungracious
• inconsiderate
• uncivil
• unmannerly
• thoughtless
• inconsiderate
• insolent
• disrespectful
• heedless
• impudent
• bold
• impertinent
• informal
• brash
• vulgar
• uncouth
• unmannered
• audacious
• saucy
• shameless
• casual
• brassy
• boorish
• ill-mannered
• churlish
• mannerless
• clownish
• inappropriate
• improper
• loutish
• ill-bred
• ungenteel
• arrogant
• incorrect
• indecent
• unseemly
• unceremonious
• indecorous
• pretentious
• presumptuous
• bold-faced
• lippy
• conceited
• uncalled-for
• clodhopping
• unrespectable
• presuming

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

• proper
• respectable
• decorous
• satisfactory
• nice
• acceptable
• correct
• formal
• genteel
• decent
• elegant
• adequate
• gracious
• dress
• seemly
• befitting
• dignified
• tolerable
• relevant
• congenial
• de rigueur
• dressy
• apt
• prim
• permitted
• stuffy
• priggish
• harmonious
• authorized
• compatible
• kosher
• allowed
• stiff
• material

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inappropriate
• improper
• informal
• incorrect
• unsatisfactory
• indecent
• unbecoming
• unacceptable
• indelicate
• unseemly
• casual
• intolerable
• indecorous
• shabby
• tacky
• barred
• seedy
• forbidden
• prohibited
• ungenteel
• awkward
• grungy
• disallowed
• gauche
• proscribed
• ungraceful
• banned
• outlawed
• interdicted

politeness

2 of 2

noun

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

• manners
• attentiveness
• gallantry
• courteousness
• elegance
• civility
• thoughtfulness
• courtesy
• hospitality
• gentility
• graciousness
• gracefulness
• mannerliness
• respectability
• genteelness
• respect
• gentlemanliness
• chivalry
• consideration
• refinement
• courtliness
• ceremony
• decorum
• urbanity
• deference
• breeding
• formality
• politesse
• friendliness
• cordiality
• ceremoniousness
• sociability
• geniality
• knighthood
• suaveness
• humility
• knightliness
• affability
• decency
• seemliness
• meekness
• decorousness
• chivalrousness
• ceremonialness
• modesty
• gentilesse
• unctuousness
• propriety
• shyness
• polish
• felicitousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rudeness
• impoliteness
• incivility
• discourtesy
• disrespect
• surliness
• boldness
• insolence
• audacity
• impudence
• impertinence
• brashness
• shamelessness
• vulgarity
• boorishness
• sauciness
• informality
• casualness
• churlishness
• ungraciousness
• delinquency
• discourteousness
• inappropriateness
• audaciousness
• impropriety
• presumption
• arrogance
• indecency
• incorrectness
• thoughtlessness
• brassiness
• clownishness
• loutishness
• conceit
• pretentiousness
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• improperness

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

• gesture
• courtesy
• manners
• civility
• formality
• etiquette
• attention
• ritual
• rules
• ceremony
• pleasantry
• kindness
• amenity
• greetings
• decorum
• rite
• observance
• respects
• honors
• regards
• kindliness
• proprieties
• grace
• mores
• form
• protocol
• favor
• addresses
• devoirs

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective polite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of polite are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and gallant. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

When might chivalrous be a better fit than polite?

The synonyms chivalrous and polite are sometimes interchangeable, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When is civil a more appropriate choice than polite?

Although the words civil and polite have much in common, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When is it sensible to use courteous instead of polite?

The meanings of courteous and polite largely overlap; however, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

How are the words gallant and chivalrous related as synonyms of polite?

Both gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. Gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of polite

Adjective

In both sections, Alonso was polite but guarded, understandably so when asked about Enzo Fernandez, Granit Xhaka or potential transfer plans. — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 13 July 2026

Genuine smiles and laughter Don't read too much into an initial polite smile. — Jeff Haden, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Noun

The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026

When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026