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
Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
Calling can be helpful, but sending a brief, polite email to one of the American Airlines executive contacts might have done the trick.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
But on the whole, the hearing was uniformly polite and Powell did not face sharp criticism over the Fed’s decision to leave its rate unchanged.
—Chris Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
This used to be a common saying, now defunct in polite circles as sexist.
—Joan C. Williams
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Adjective
Based on my experience, labeling someone a contrarian is just an extremely polite way of calling out a person for being a jerk who’s obsessed with the sound of their own voice.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
Calling can be helpful, but sending a brief, polite email to one of the American Airlines executive contacts might have done the trick.
—Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
But on the whole, the hearing was uniformly polite and Powell did not face sharp criticism over the Fed’s decision to leave its rate unchanged.
—Chris Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
This used to be a common saying, now defunct in polite circles as sexist.
—Joan C. Williams
june 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
For some science, the discoveries will be limited by whatever the sky is gracious enough to give—a star must explode for the Rubin Observatory to spot a new supernova, for example.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
1 July 2025
-
Miss Manners is certain that your heartfelt gratitude, in the form of a gracious and appreciative handwritten letter, will be thanks enough.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
His uncle wanted to show him the ropes, but there were obstacles: equipment cost, building things to code, researching the proper setup.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
That means mow your grass at the proper height for your species and fertilize and irrigate correctly.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
13 July 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
-
These unexpected gestures show appreciation and deepen the relationship.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The gesture of the embrace is a simple but powerful moment, a symbol of closeness, friendship, love, and forgiveness.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Soon after Trump took office, senior administration officials rescinded the policy, allowing agents to detain people, including family members, for civil immigration violations at courthouses.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
-
Records have shown that a large share of those currently in detention do not have a criminal record, but civil immigration offenses instead.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Similarly, other open-wheel drivers like Montoya have been very respectable but not remarkable.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Walker’s pass rush grade of 65.5 ranked a respectable 53rd and his run defense grade of 67.7 was 82nd.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
The royal family’s official website explains that there are no strict codes of conduct for meeting royals, only suggested traditional courtesies.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
8 July 2025
-
And not only does this travel-friendly projector cast a surprisingly sharp image, but the sound quality is excellent (courtesy of two five-watt Harman Kardon speakers), especially given the size of the projector.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside Online,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Director Hyuk Jae-kwon creates a seductively eerie mood with thoughtful visual effects and discordant background noises.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
The rare scary movie that's also a thoughtful exploration of family, tribalism and remembering the dead.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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