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
But that just adds more rudeness to the world, so best to take the high road and keep things polite.
—
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
The bride was smiling but doing that polite, frozen smile.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
But without Bertha’s savvy understanding of polite society, George wouldn’t be able to court critical clients outside the office, sustain essential relationships, or properly position his family for upward mobility.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Most of the time, generative AI has been tuned to be relatively polite and offers mild praise, though a user can easily up the ante by simply telling the AI to pour it on.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
The bride was smiling but doing that polite, frozen smile.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
But without Bertha’s savvy understanding of polite society, George wouldn’t be able to court critical clients outside the office, sustain essential relationships, or properly position his family for upward mobility.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Most of the time, generative AI has been tuned to be relatively polite and offers mild praise, though a user can easily up the ante by simply telling the AI to pour it on.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
In her first interview as a filmmaker, Renée Zellweger is as gracious as ever.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Aug. 2025
-
And Phil and Chris were incredibly gracious throughout that process.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
To get the cast and crew in the proper headspace for filming the crime thriller, Caron hosted a Portland-area screening of John Cassavetes’ Gloria (1980).—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Aug. 2025
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The suit claims the school failed to provide proper protective equipment and training to Wei.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Boston enacted the Boston Trust Act in 2014, which bars local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement agents, particularly around arresting migrants in the country illegally who are on civil warrants.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Ethan Pines for Forbes A New York State appeals court on Thursday threw out a roughly $500 million fine that President Donald Trump had been ordered to pay last year as part of a civil fraud ruling against him.—
Thomas Gallagher,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The most expensive player added this offseason was offensive lineman James Daniels, who signed a respectable three-year deal that could be worth $24 million.—
Omar Kelly
August 27,
Miami Herald,
27 Aug. 2025
-
In the finals, SFC followed with a respectable showing in a 13-8 loss to Bishop’s.—
Glae Thien,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But there’s also a lot of thoughtful, poignant material about traditions, grief, childhood trauma, and the ways that family can be both the best and worst part of your life.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
22 Aug. 2025
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Being transparent, candid and frank about challenges while also putting them in context in a thoughtful way will have more impact than trying to massage the answer, which can create uncertainty or disbelief.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
-
More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.—
Rebecca Solnit
August 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
Superficially courteous and casually racist, Jimmer is an old school authority figure, from his wide-brimmed hat to his work boots, and he’s presented as a fearful impediment to Marshall’s mission right from the jump.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 Aug. 2025
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During that time, and as a teacher at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, the physically towering Spelman garnered a reputation as humble, courteous and a thorough public servant — one eager to dig into details and help cities function more effectively.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
The law dropped the requirement to test drugs on animals for FDA approval when there’s other safety data from computer simulations or mini-organs satisfactory to regulators.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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But because Cal West is building the park and will pay for its amenities, the city deemed the requirements satisfactory.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.
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