as in politeness
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Recent Examples of politesse
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, 4 Dec. 2025
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
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
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
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
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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When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Friendly or the blank politeness of impartiality?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But his natural gentility is tough to dress down.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
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But the glory and gentility that had been the Pontchartrain was gone.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The four candidates for Sacramento County’s 1st Supervisorial District gathered at the Coloma Community Center on Thursday evening for a forum that that was long on both info and civility.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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Blending absurdist humor with social critique, the series explores how civility can be weaponized to justify cruelty.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Riding on buses and trains in Seoul, Lee encountered electronic signs instructing riders on the etiquette of using public transportation.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
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What’s the appropriate armrest etiquette?—
Zach Schiffman,
Curbed,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her graciousness in asking for the women in the room to stand up, and then hailing them, was another class act.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
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Today’s China may have lost a lot of the graciousness once bestowed on foreigners, or at least Americans, generally speaking, but one country that has been consistently convivial over several decades for this guy is Japan.—
David Dickstein,
Oc Register,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The band's courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan's first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The band’s courtesy visit was a pleasant break for Japan’s first female leader, known for her long working hours and now struggling with strained diplomatic ties with China, the fallouts from the war in the Middle East as well as rising prices at home.—
Mari Yamaguchi,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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What once might have sounded like a genuine political emergency or a violation of constitutional decorum begins to register as just another day in American political life.—
Stephanie A,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2026
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Once Snelling took to the auditorium stage, CCPSA President Remel Terry reminded the 100 or so people in attendance to maintain decorum.—
Sam Charles,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dolores is a tribute to all of us to continue the struggle for justice and humanity — not to be caught up in an ideology for a cause that is greater than our basic human needs for kindness, dignity and belonging.—
Lynn DeWoskin Covarrubias,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
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We are encouraged by recent statements from County Executive Calvin Ball and other local leaders, who have rightly called for a collective commitment to safety, dignity and action.—
Jim Cook,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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