as in politeness
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Recent Examples of politesse
In 1948, Vogue published its 658-page Book of Etiquette, compiled by editor Millicent Fenwick, featuring how-tos, dos and don’ts, and the proper politesse for a remarkably varied set of scenarios.
—
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The panel’s mid-century politesse is soothing, and the celebrity guests (Alfred Hitchcock!
—Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
Not to mention the politesse of the ball requires these small exchanges.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
And indeed, by that time, there was little need for such politesse.
—Charlie Tyson, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Then Dave Foley smoothed over the fight with perfect Canadian politesse, saying Black’s idealism was adorable in 2025.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Even today, when people complain that much of the excitement of live bidding has disappeared, salesrooms at the major auction houses retain a singular atmosphere of politesse and extortion.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Behind the political politesse is the challenge of urban mayors to advocate for immediate needs, while also playing the longer game of seeking structural changes in how Connecticut meets its constitutional responsibility of equitably funding public education.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
Her social politesse transforms into a maternal fury and the air turns blue with inventive insults.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The panel’s mid-century politesse is soothing, and the celebrity guests (Alfred Hitchcock!
—Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
Not to mention the politesse of the ball requires these small exchanges.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
And indeed, by that time, there was little need for such politesse.
—Charlie Tyson, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026
Then Dave Foley smoothed over the fight with perfect Canadian politesse, saying Black’s idealism was adorable in 2025.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Even today, when people complain that much of the excitement of live bidding has disappeared, salesrooms at the major auction houses retain a singular atmosphere of politesse and extortion.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Behind the political politesse is the challenge of urban mayors to advocate for immediate needs, while also playing the longer game of seeking structural changes in how Connecticut meets its constitutional responsibility of equitably funding public education.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2025
Her social politesse transforms into a maternal fury and the air turns blue with inventive insults.
—Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse
Noun
-
Good bathroom etiquette here is less about politeness than safety, since a crowded aisle is something the crew would rather avoid.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
-
For the most part, CTA personnel act with grace and politeness, although the sour drivers can influence the riders’ experiences as well.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Before the yuppie era, a certain staid gentility prevailed.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
-
But his natural gentility is tough to dress down.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There were some nods in the direction of a more old-fashioned political civility Wednesday night.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
18 June 2026
-
As well as calling you a hypocrite almost a decade ago over your Monica Lewinsky jokes in the late 1990s and your calls for civility, John Oliver in particular has taken you to the woodshed over your criticism of late-night getting too partisan.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
One or both of them invokes the noble name of etiquette, claiming to be enforcing proper behavior.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
16 June 2026
-
The proper etiquette is to line up to the side of the doors, then board when the outpour of people has stopped.—
Claudia Fisher,
Travel + Leisure,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Her graciousness in asking for the women in the room to stand up, and then hailing them, was another class act.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Today’s China may have lost a lot of the graciousness once bestowed on foreigners, or at least Americans, generally speaking, but one country that has been consistently convivial over several decades for this guy is Japan.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fyall says while Kansas City is a host city, the multiple base camps will deliver significant international visibility courtesy of the foreign sports press.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Alicia Keys closed out the momentous occasion decked out in a custom all-black leather look, courtesy of a collaboration between Pelle Pelle and Daniel’s Leather.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
One is about civic commonality, the other about authoritarian cynicism; one is about a city pulling together around a common pleasure, the other about desecrating the decorum of democracy.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
21 June 2026
-
One of the mayor’s primary responsibilities is facilitating meetings and maintaining decorum.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
His post-match interview revealed the usual Messi, the man who continues to showcase the kind of humanity, dignity, honor and humility that defies every standard of today’s society, consumed with the search for attention and glory at any cost.—
Luis E. Romero,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
-
Director David Baute described a deliberate approach to his subject’s dignity.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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