as in politeness
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Recent Examples of politesse
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
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, 18 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
While Jones and O’Dowd balance tenderness with dark humor, Ellis masters the art of cold corporate politesse.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
When the vast majority of characters in the franchise behave respectfully, the Emperor’s lack of politesse is a breath of fresh air.
—Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 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
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, 18 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
While Jones and O’Dowd balance tenderness with dark humor, Ellis masters the art of cold corporate politesse.
—Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
When the vast majority of characters in the franchise behave respectfully, the Emperor’s lack of politesse is a breath of fresh air.
—Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse
Noun
-
The clearest firebrand of the group is Suzanne (Mia Barron), whose patronizing politeness will eventually give way to rage once her views are challenged.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But this was close to the borderline of gentility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Modesty, gentility, and protocol have no place in the apartment grope.—
Nicholas Pileggi,
Curbed,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
To Washington, a beard made a man look unkempt and slovenly, masking the higher emotions that civility required.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Eisgruber also believes that speech should conform to norms of civility.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Someone Gaslights You So what's the proper etiquette around phone usage during therapy?—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Nehmeh agrees something has gone missing in the age of remote work, noting reports of some companies offering etiquette classes to Gen Z on how to act in meetings, dress for work, and talk to clients.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Your graciousness and kindness is appreciated by our entire restaurant team.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Even more detailed views came courtesy of astrophotographer Dan Bartlett, who imaged the comet over multiple nights to reveal how the complex structure of its ever-shifting tail evolved over time from his backyard in June Lake, California, over recent weeks.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
One was courtesy of shortstop Trevor Story, and the other was via first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And the typical rules of decorum are loosened as a result — at least by golf standards.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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Despite his reputation for decorum, Balmain could also inject a dose of sizzle.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Black men are not given the patience, the dignity or the humanity afforded to others.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Convincingly portraying a woman who regains her dignity in her quest to follow in her father’s footsteps, Hart’s performance of inscrutable sacrifice balances a regal confidence with the uneasiness of someone in perpetual survival mode.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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