POLITESSE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

politesse

noun

Definition of politesse

as in politeness

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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

Similarly, after the traumas of the Civil War and Reconstruction, some Southern writers emphasized aberrant behavior to undercut the aristocratic whitewash of gentility and custom.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of gentility

Noun

The group, which has the oldest average age, places a high value on civility in politics, are conservative on economic issues and more moderate on race and immigration.

— Frank Langfitt, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
But Edgecomb is among the Maine voters who remember LePage’s polarizing years as governor and decided to support his Democratic opponent, state auditor Matt Dunlap, citing a desire for more civility in Washington.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of civility

Noun

Normal gym etiquette is to refrain from taking up time on machines when the place is busy.

— Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
The growing debate has also raised questions about restaurant etiquette, with experts warning that excessive modifications can cross the line from reasonable requests into entitlement.

— Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 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

The score came courtesy of center back Casemiro, who tapped the ball to Suarez on the left side of the box before the Uruguayan knocked it into the top right corner.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
There are also opportunities to learn more about how hunting can provide food and help foster regional wildlife conservation courtesy of guest speakers.

— Heide Brandes, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Noun

The blunderbuss of violations of the basic decorum and dignity of democracy have become such a daily matter that the increasingly familiar response is to sigh and surrender.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
However, her choice of a plainer variety for Monday’s festivities fit with the occasion’s decorum.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of decorum

Noun

Landon argued that public officials should be held to standards of conduct that include treating others with dignity, particularly when disagreements arise.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The dignity of such aspirational, agentic citizenship and its contrast with the legalistic, subject citizenship of colonies and empires left its mark on our own state.

— Trygve Throntveit, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of dignity

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“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of politesse

noun

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