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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of polite
Support letters, filed by friends and family members in court, describe him as a charismatic and polite young man with righteous goals and aspirations.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
In both vehicles he was played by George Reeves, polite, bland and not noticeably muscled.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 8 July 2025
The polite way to deplane is front to back, waiting patiently as each row exits in order.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 July 2025
That's why Governor Kathy Hochul's (D-N.Y.) embrace of a balanced, all-of-the-above energy strategy deserves more than polite applause.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 9 July 2025
In both vehicles he was played by George Reeves, polite, bland and not noticeably muscled.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 8 July 2025
The polite way to deplane is front to back, waiting patiently as each row exits in order.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 July 2025
That's why Governor Kathy Hochul's (D-N.Y.) embrace of a balanced, all-of-the-above energy strategy deserves more than polite applause.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
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
-
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
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For proper perspective, compare that to 2025 Songwriting Hall of Fame inductee Ashley Gorley's 83 No. 1 hits over 20 years.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Records have shown that a large share of those currently in detention do not have a criminal record, but civil immigration offenses instead.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
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
Adjective
-
Similarly, other open-wheel drivers like Montoya have been very respectable but not remarkable.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
Walker’s pass rush grade of 65.5 ranked a respectable 53rd and his run defense grade of 67.7 was 82nd.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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The dress even has thoughtful front pockets for stashing goods on the go.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 July 2025
-
Director Hyuk Jae-kwon creates a seductively eerie mood with thoughtful visual effects and discordant background noises.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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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
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Instead, they are selected and rearranged to form a narrative of gradual debasement: a semantic descent from the decorous to the vulgar, often ending with crude references to the body.—
Jeffrey Weiss,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
To help care for Park City, practice good trail etiquette by leaving no trace on the trails (staying on marked trails and packing up your garbage), being courteous of other hikers and mountain bikers, and never taking items like rocks or plants from the trail.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
7 July 2025
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Though these Hongdae men try to push buttons, Sean Solo’s videos always emphasize how normal Korean men act as well, which is pretty courteous and nice in comparison.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
The other specs are perfectly satisfactory for a model at this price.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 July 2025
-
Synan’s attorney declined to comment on a similar question, as well as a question about whether the resignation is a satisfactory outcome for the police chief.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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