1
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
it's only polite to hold the door for the person behind you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in proper
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
such matters are never mentioned in polite conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of polite
But that just adds more rudeness to the world, so best to take the high road and keep things polite.
—
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
The bride was smiling but doing that polite, frozen smile.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
But without Bertha’s savvy understanding of polite society, George wouldn’t be able to court critical clients outside the office, sustain essential relationships, or properly position his family for upward mobility.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Most of the time, generative AI has been tuned to be relatively polite and offers mild praise, though a user can easily up the ante by simply telling the AI to pour it on.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
The bride was smiling but doing that polite, frozen smile.
—Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
But without Bertha’s savvy understanding of polite society, George wouldn’t be able to court critical clients outside the office, sustain essential relationships, or properly position his family for upward mobility.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2025
Most of the time, generative AI has been tuned to be relatively polite and offers mild praise, though a user can easily up the ante by simply telling the AI to pour it on.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
-
In almost all respects, Masako—true to her breeding—was the very model of a modest and gracious ojōsan.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
-
While people are generally gracious about missteps, recent surges in tourist numbers are starting to strain that vaunted hospitality.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Blackwood recently went to a hardware store where an employee had become known for her ability to mix a proper Carolina blue, and bought new paint.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
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To get the cast and crew in the proper headspace for filming the crime thriller, Caron hosted a Portland-area screening of John Cassavetes’ Gloria (1980).—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The documentation to defend against civil claims for damages following IT failures is of similar relevance.—
Dennis-Kenji Kipker,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Republicans have threatened missing Democrats with civil arrest.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The former third-round pick registered 77 tackles, an interception and six passes defended last season, posting a respectable 64.8 overall grade at Pro Football Focus.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Knapp rummages in her kitchen, eventually holding up a perfectly respectable little potato.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These aren’t edge cases but increasingly common scenarios requiring thoughtful, human-centric design.—
Anuradha Gupta,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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An artistic 14-year-old boy known for his thoughtful nature drowned just weeks before starting high school, Michigan officials say.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
-
More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.—
Rebecca Solnit
August 23,
Literary Hub,
23 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
Superficially courteous and casually racist, Jimmer is an old school authority figure, from his wide-brimmed hat to his work boots, and he’s presented as a fearful impediment to Marshall’s mission right from the jump.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 Aug. 2025
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During that time, and as a teacher at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, the physically towering Spelman garnered a reputation as humble, courteous and a thorough public servant — one eager to dig into details and help cities function more effectively.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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The law dropped the requirement to test drugs on animals for FDA approval when there’s other safety data from computer simulations or mini-organs satisfactory to regulators.—
Alex Knapp,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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But because Cal West is building the park and will pay for its amenities, the city deemed the requirements satisfactory.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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