1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
those bygone days when young women were taught how to drink tea while wearing long gloves and other genteel ways of behaving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
she grew up in genteel old Savannah
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
the genteel ladies never mixed with the servants prohibited by reason of her genteel birth from marrying the man she loved
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
his genteel gesture of holding the door for the ladies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 genteel
Even much of the criticism of Musk was relatively genteel.
—
Jake Lahut, Wired News, 6 June 2025
Irving Thalberg, born in 1899, grew up in the genteel Brooklyn of German-Jewish doctors and rabbis, a world apart from Mayer’s rougher caste of Eastern European Jews hustling for scrap metal in cold maritime Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
In its early days, it was reviled by some critics as a jarring intrusion on the genteel Georgian symmetry of the square.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 June 2025
On April 7th, as a cold rain fell on Washington, a couple of hundred people gathered in a hotel ballroom near Dupont Circle, in a spirit of genteel resistance.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Jake Lahut, Wired News, 6 June 2025
Irving Thalberg, born in 1899, grew up in the genteel Brooklyn of German-Jewish doctors and rabbis, a world apart from Mayer’s rougher caste of Eastern European Jews hustling for scrap metal in cold maritime Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
In its early days, it was reviled by some critics as a jarring intrusion on the genteel Georgian symmetry of the square.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 June 2025
On April 7th, as a cold rain fell on Washington, a couple of hundred people gathered in a hotel ballroom near Dupont Circle, in a spirit of genteel resistance.
—Evan Osnos, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
-
If a client goes quiet, a polite but firm follow-up message outlining next steps can nudge resolution.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
The mother is friendly and the son is quiet and polite.—
Rebecca Chace
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is far, far beneath the dignity of a civilized society.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
12 July 2025
-
Honoring and showing gratitude to those who step up to help others regardless of their origins is one sign of a civilized society that recognizes the worth of all human beings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike many royal spouses of the past, Princess Kate wasn't born into an aristocratic family with nobility or royal titles.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
In an aristocratic residence near Cassis on the Mediterranean coast, Camp Joli is prepping itself for its second season.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
The man was gifted, gracious, often generous and seldom mean-spirited.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
10 July 2025
-
But goodness gracious, the Rockies are only (14-36) under Schaeffer after going 7-33 under Black.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
This weekend marked the reintroduction of Holmes, the first step toward a proper rookie year.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 July 2025
-
Many beloved bands and singers who have either retired or passed away continue to make a home on the tally, thanks to popular compilations or, in some select cases, a proper full-length that simply won't go away.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
New money families fought for their place at the table with old money institutions by throwing undeniably elegant balls (with the proper soup) and funding irresistibly cultured opera houses (with the proper spectators).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2025
-
Goldwyn continued to crave the skills of savvy, street-smart writers like Hellman, the kind of intellect who might elevate an industry many cultured people still looked down their nose at.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Royal titles are reserved for those born into or marrying into the family, while dukedoms and other noble titles are passed down through a family or granted by the reigning monarch.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
6 July 2025
-
He’s covered in sweat and using a scrap of cardboard as a fan—not for himself, but for the tides of people who pass him, in a noble effort to keep them cool.—
Richard Collett,
Saveur,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Now, emerging issues abroad such as the Israel-Iran conflict and at home, like the attacks on politicians and ongoing civil unrest over immigration enforcement actions, have all caused ripple effects in New York City.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
4 July 2025
-
Soon after Trump took office, senior administration officials rescinded the policy, allowing agents to detain people, including family members, for civil immigration violations at courthouses.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share