as in politeness
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Recent Examples of politesse
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
Decades of French lessons schooled me in the strict rules of politesse.
—Theresa Conroy, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2024
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
Decades of French lessons schooled me in the strict rules of politesse.
—Theresa Conroy, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse
Noun
-
The poster themselves shared their belief in the power of politeness.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
-
While the wife’s new friendship may have started innocently, the man felt compelled to put his family’s comfort above politeness.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Modesty, gentility, and protocol have no place in the apartment grope.—
Nicholas Pileggi,
Curbed,
15 Aug. 2025
-
During his adolescence, the sensibility among the youth was to turn away from the gentility of the race man and toward the existential and the militant.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 June 2025
Noun
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His leadership is rooted in a commitment to service, an insistence on civility and a passion for promoting the public interest.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
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Ortberg has called for a return to civility, respect and openness as Boeing recovers from years of crisis, including whistleblower accounts of vindictive managers.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Interns are paid and work between 10 to 15 weeks with opportunities to attend workshops and seminars that teach topics like email etiquette, how to create elevator pitches and other social skills.—
Peyton Robinson,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Boomer wedding guests have sparked a viral discussion about modern-day wedding etiquette.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Your graciousness and kindness is appreciated by our entire restaurant team.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Elizabeth Olsen opted for a dress courtesy of Rodarte’s fall 2022 ready-to-wear collection.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That data comes courtesy of payroll processor ADP and marks a steep slowdown from July’s upwardly revised 106,000, underscoring how fragile employment momentum has become halfway through 2025.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Tennis took off in this country in the late 70s with the emergence of attitude, which replaced, or at least challenged, the old decorum.—
Thomas Swick
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Why do so many Democratic representatives insist on sticking with decorum, finger-wagging instead of, as Crockett puts it, focusing on the burning house?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There is power in affording others the human dignity that all of God’s children deserve.—
Russell M. Nelson,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
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Nusbaum, the Saint Mary’s College education professor, said Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) training, along with crisis teams in schools, would help maintain the dignity of students and the safety of the teachers.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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