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
Photo: Corcoran This corner two-bedroom co-op is well priced, especially considering the neighborhood, its genteel prewar layout, and what appears to be generally quite good condition.
—
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 21 Jan. 2025
For even the least genteel arriviste, owning Mar-a-Lago and endearing oneself to an important Palm Beach charity would guarantee what is called entree, a place on all the right invitation lists and membership at one of the social clubs.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
All this might be a bit much for those who like their international epics more refined and genteel.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Only that genteel veneer soon gives way to a more scathing national x-ray, satirizing post-Brexit malaise alongside broader issues of immigration and national identity.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Kim Velsey, Curbed, 21 Jan. 2025
For even the least genteel arriviste, owning Mar-a-Lago and endearing oneself to an important Palm Beach charity would guarantee what is called entree, a place on all the right invitation lists and membership at one of the social clubs.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
All this might be a bit much for those who like their international epics more refined and genteel.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Only that genteel veneer soon gives way to a more scathing national x-ray, satirizing post-Brexit malaise alongside broader issues of immigration and national identity.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
-
Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
His boss and co-worker remember him as quiet, polite and professional.—
James Bandler,
ProPublica,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The lighting is sufficient for patrons to take it all in, and the sound level, despite the size of the room, has been successfully brought down to a civilized level.—
John Mariani,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Even a hearing on the proposal to arm school staff is equal parts passionate and civilized, as the majority gun-owning constituents don’t all agree that the Second Amendment should extend to the classroom.—
Lauren Wissot,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
At Watches and Wonders there will be an immersive booth that reinterprets the grand stables of aristocratic houses, where polo was played on private fields.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The backstory: In 1654, these some 7,500 acres of ancient woodlands and meadows were acquired by the aristocratic Clerk family (who still own it today), who quickly set about establishing it as a hub for the aesthetic and intellectual elite of their time.—
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.—
Devorah Lev-Tov,
AFAR Media,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The press conference had a very gracious tone on the U.S. relationship.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The government insisted the nonprofits didn't have standing to bring this case on behalf of the employees because the employees themselves needed go through the proper, yet limited, channels to challenge their firings, with each employee fighting his or her own battle.—
Christina Gatti,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2025
-
All my Social Security user logins are again able to connect and view the proper benefit information.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Young says the higher butterfat content of cultured butter yields flakier pastries and creamier sauces.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Turgenev, Conrad and James found something captivating about political revolutionaries who were also well educated, cultured and sensitive.—
Max Chapnick,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Because our first priority will be to respect the heritage of a race that’s almost two centuries old, a competition that brings together amateurs in the noblest sense — students of Oxford and Cambridge — and a level of professionalism and excellence that is worthy of the Olympic Games.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The story centers on Krem of the Yellow Hills, who kills an alien girl’s father, prompting her and Supergirl, accompanied by the noble Knolle, to embark on a pursuit for justice.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
If this were a civil case, the parties would likely file motions for summary judgment, and the judge would be able to offer an explanation of how the law applies to the evidence adduced at trial.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In civil cases, confidential settlements can resolve matters that might have taken years to go to trial, by allowing those accused of wrongdoing to minimize any publicity.—
David W. Chen,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share