as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of courtly
Across the street was the Mortensen House, a Spanish Colonial Revival villa from 1929, with courtly arches under a Mediterranean red-tile roof.
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
State of play: The courtly and restrained Bessent warned of economic disaster if Trump's 2017 package of tax cuts, many of which are due to expire at the end of the year, are not extended.
—Axios, 27 Jan. 2025
The courtly Time-magazine essayist who described the American Century with wit, outrage, and wry wisdom
By Roger Rosenblatt
Read On
The Seasoned Traveler
Enrique Olvera The Mexican chef behind Cosme and Pujol reveals his travel routine
Read On
Going Anywhere Soon?
—airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024
In the video, guests dressed for an Instagrammable, Regency-era ball, while an orchestra played music for courtly dances and Lopez sat on a throne, holding court as her own version of Queen Charlotte.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
State of play: The courtly and restrained Bessent warned of economic disaster if Trump's 2017 package of tax cuts, many of which are due to expire at the end of the year, are not extended.
—Axios, 27 Jan. 2025
The courtly Time-magazine essayist who described the American Century with wit, outrage, and wry wisdom
By Roger Rosenblatt
Read On
The Seasoned Traveler
Enrique Olvera The Mexican chef behind Cosme and Pujol reveals his travel routine
Read On
Going Anywhere Soon?
—airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024
In the video, guests dressed for an Instagrammable, Regency-era ball, while an orchestra played music for courtly dances and Lopez sat on a throne, holding court as her own version of Queen Charlotte.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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Her playing was poised and expressive throughout, favoring subtlety over drama and marked by graceful nuance.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
11 July 2025
-
The building itself, majestic and graceful, holds an immediate promise of well-being.—
Rona Berg,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Peggy meets a handsome doctor from Newport whose family is less than enthusiastic about her career.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
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Right now, a wide variety of styles are available for a fraction of their original price, like these preppy Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Gold Cup Boat Shoe Loafers, $65 off, that are suited for sun, sand, and surf, but are handsome enough to wear out to dinner.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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The dress has elegant puff sleeves, romantic florals, and a square-neck that keeps you covered.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
12 July 2025
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Actor Andrew Garfield wore his trusty Omega De Ville Trésor, soccer star Bukayo Saka flexed a gorgeous Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa flaunted an elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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People in their finest gathered under those lights.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
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Based on how Padres pitchers have performed, Díaz and Maldonado had a fine defensive first half.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Even the Norwegian royal family is frequently spotted on Lofoten’s hiking trails.—
Phil Thomas,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
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The news about the British royal family has been mostly positive, as of late.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
In 1951, George Reeves played the gallant superhero in the first feature film based on a DC Comics character, Superman and the Mole Man.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
11 July 2025
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Fiennes exhibits that side of him without apology, which only makes his gallant side feel all the more genuine.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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