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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polite
Letting your friend know their deodorant is a little weak is a direct but still polite way to encourage them to freshen up.
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
And all the polite cheeriness about singlehood—especially from partnered people, in a society still designed for couples—can feel disingenuous and patronizing.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Moreover, if there’s a casserole that everyone seems to be skipping over—we’re looking at you, lime jello delight—it is always considered polite to grab a small scoop, or at the very least make sure the contributor still feels appreciated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
Letting your friend know their deodorant is a little weak is a direct but still polite way to encourage them to freshen up.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
And all the polite cheeriness about singlehood—especially from partnered people, in a society still designed for couples—can feel disingenuous and patronizing.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 2 Apr. 2025
Moreover, if there’s a casserole that everyone seems to be skipping over—we’re looking at you, lime jello delight—it is always considered polite to grab a small scoop, or at the very least make sure the contributor still feels appreciated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2025
Letting your friend know their deodorant is a little weak is a direct but still polite way to encourage them to freshen up.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
The draft will be held in Green Bay, and the NFL always brings in collegians who figure to be taken high, so Commissioner Roger Goodell can be the gracious host and hug them after they’re picked.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Rose was gracious as ever after his second straight time finishing second in a major, having lost out at Royal Troon last summer.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
By the later seasons, the familiar of the house Guillermo (played by the delightful Harvey Guillén) gives us a proper Gay Storyline™ that will really tear your heartstrings.—
James Factora,
Them.,
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
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
-
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
-
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
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
Adjective
-
Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.—
Jeffrey Weiss,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
-
Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Weinstein says Steel’s highly courteous, but firm, personality could be an asset when Combs’ case veers in highly sensitive territory.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Rather, more parents should welcome, rather than react defensively, when another parent steps in to support your efforts to teach your kids courteous manners.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The findings are available to the public at cdc.gov, with a score of 86 and above deemed satisfactory and anything under considered unsatisfactory.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The player: Luis Ortiz Ortiz’s first three starts, respectively, could be classified as ugly, satisfactory and excellent.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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