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
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Charlotte is not faring much better, immediately picking up on her outsider status in this lily-white town, and the way her new neighbors offer only bare-minimum politeness.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
3 Nov. 2025
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Altman wasn't joking about the price of politeness.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Ferrara’s arrival in New York City and subsequent entry into the movie business is presented as something like a case of recidivism, a dive from suburban gentility into the cauldron of steaming garbage that was Fun City–era Manhattan.—
Nick Pinkerton,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
But this was close to the borderline of gentility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Sustainable strategy trumps transactional tactics Whatever personal chemistry—or at least, civility—Trump and Xi might establish won’t matter much if each country sees the other as the main source of the world’s problems.—
Christopher Smart,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
-
An indictment of all Western Civilization for being a thin mask of civility and propriety failing to cover the ceaseless butchery beneath.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The short video clip sparked online debate about culture, class and proper etiquette for eating certain foods.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
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Taking the high-road—and practicing good meeting etiquette—can ultimately be an effective way to earn recognition, show genuine commitment, and build credibility.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Such a brilliant actor, a kind heart and full of graciousness with a shining independent spirit.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
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Your graciousness and kindness is appreciated by our entire restaurant team.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Photograph courtesy Oscilloscope Laboratories 3.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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In between his different projects, Emms took time to talk to THR about The Choral, being part of the Star Wars universe, courtesy of Andor, and what is next for him.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Usually, nothing happens, because that’s the beauty of us everywhere, there’s the same story, just the decorum changes and the dynamic changes.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2025
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Others just get giddy having a green light to upend society’s rules of decorum, even for a short window of time.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Crown and dignity Catalina Ruiz Navarro, a Colombian feminist activist and journalist based in Mexico City, argued that the nature of beauty pageants like Miss Universe places women in a patriarchal position.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
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There is no dignity, and no justice, in a system that buries an elderly woman alive in silence.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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