POLITESSE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

politesse

noun

Definition of politesse

as in politeness

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of politesse 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 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 Her social politesse transforms into a maternal fury and the air turns blue with inventive insults. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for politesse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse

Noun

There’s a certain kind of gentility and politeness, and then on the flip side, dark humor and grotesquerie.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Is the nation’s vaunted politeness actually just passive-aggressiveness?

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of politeness

Noun

Neil Fuentes, a founder of the New Haven Academy of Performing Arts and the artistic director of Broadway on Main, brings an uncommon gentility and hearty spirit to the character of Murray the Cop.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
There’s a certain kind of gentility and politeness, and then on the flip side, dark humor and grotesquerie.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of gentility

Noun

Despite the challenges, many candidates are impelled by the desire to steer political discourse toward civility and issues that matter most to ordinary citizens.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026
But most of us have been around long enough to miss things such as bipartisanship among lawmakers and general civility.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of civility

Noun

White after Labor Day is less fashion edict than old etiquette at this point.

— Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
While the behavior was distracting, Osaka hopes that bringing tennis to a new audience overall will benefit the sport, as long as new fans learn the rules and etiquette of spectating.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of etiquette

Noun

The service Staff are relaxed and friendly, and maintain a casual environment without skimping on graciousness.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
There’s a graciousness that runs through these evenings spent with their friends at dinners and happy hours before meals out, with each moment spent together as much a cause for celebration as the event itself.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of graciousness

Noun

Leah Nesbitt, a spokesperson for O’Hare, previously said the county’s decorum policy exists to allow as many voices as possible to be heard at meetings in an orderly manner.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026
Posters at The Chronicle of the Horse began, with only a little more decorum, to pick over Kanarek’s online posturing and history of disputes.

— Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of decorum

Noun

Of Pence, who served as vice president of the United States from 2017 to 2021 and as governor of Indiana from 2013 to 2017, Sonnenfeld said Pence has displayed civility, dignity and decency throughout a lifetime of public service.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026
Ink has great fun dramatizing how the staid postwar consensus — a world of snobbery, dignity, and unions — was eclipsed by The Sun’s muscular populism.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of dignity

Browse Nearby Words

politeness

politesse

politic

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of politesse

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compendious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes