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, 8 May 2026
The panel’s mid-century politesse is soothing, and the celebrity guests (Alfred Hitchcock!
—Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
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
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
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The panel’s mid-century politesse is soothing, and the celebrity guests (Alfred Hitchcock!
—Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse
Noun
-
The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But his natural gentility is tough to dress down.—
Naveen Kumar,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2026
-
But the glory and gentility that had been the Pontchartrain was gone.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The visceral footage captures a neighborhood under siege, showcasing a breakdown of civility and a desperate police response.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
-
That civility is a thin veneer.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Glamour recently conducted an informal survey of more than 100 readers about all things group chat, including proper etiquette.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
-
Follow these mowing etiquette tips to avoid being the one that your neighbors are complaining about on Reddit.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Guests can rent courtesy bikes or use trail maps to explore local running routes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
-
He was then transferred to the neighboring Porter County Jail as Sheriff Jeff Balon offered to house the man, which is a courtesy extended in cases like this, Fifield said.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
The food remains rigorously composed but more attuned to our moment, and the servers, a number of whom have worked for Daniel Boulud for decades, prize warmth as much as decorum.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
Graf further noted that safeguards are already in place to protect the integrity of the proceedings, including limits on camera placement, courtroom decorum rules and restrictions on what attorneys can say publicly about the case.—
Adam Sabes , Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community believes that protecting human life and dignity is a sacred responsibility.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2026
-
As the institutions that hold democracy together are quietly hollowed out and the very definition of democracy is rewritten as being simply majority rule, universal values – human dignity and the rule of law – are replaced with a fierce nationalism, a proud victimhood, and a rewriting of history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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