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
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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
In the meantime, is there a polite way to respond to our friends at the door?
—
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025
So proud of your beautiful, gentle, polite, intelligent, loving, infectious spirit.
—Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
At the time of the bishops’ appeal, Lai had been imprisoned in solitary confinement for almost 1,000 days, and the prelates were polite ...
—George Weigel, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
Dressed in a colorful smoking jacket, an accentuating cravat and pencil-thin mustache, his get-up is almost as refined as his compliments, which are so detailed and nimbly assembled that even the politest group of word-spitters would be thoroughly impressed.
—Stefano Montali, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025
So proud of your beautiful, gentle, polite, intelligent, loving, infectious spirit.
—Jacqueline Weiss, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025
At the time of the bishops’ appeal, Lai had been imprisoned in solitary confinement for almost 1,000 days, and the prelates were polite ...
—George Weigel, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025
Dressed in a colorful smoking jacket, an accentuating cravat and pencil-thin mustache, his get-up is almost as refined as his compliments, which are so detailed and nimbly assembled that even the politest group of word-spitters would be thoroughly impressed.
—Stefano Montali, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
Adjective
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But instead of being gracious, Trump booted Zelenskyy out of the White House, leaving the hero’s lunch on a tray in the hall, torpedoing his existential fight to save his battered country and Ukrainian lives.—
Maureen Dowd,
The Mercury News,
4 Mar. 2025
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Here’s a gracious one-bedroom in North Park Slope, close to the Park and Grand Army Plaza, with an elegant layout: a big foyer, with a large living room on one side, the bedroom on the other, and a kitchen in the middle.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The on and off ramps at Exit 74 on I-95 lack the proper acceleration and deceleration lanes that merge on and off I-95.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
3 Mar. 2025
-
The chairman alleged Sherman colluded with some board members to wrest control by making changes to the board’s composition by appointing two new directors without proper vetting by the nominations committee.—
Jonathan Burgos,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The third individual placed on leave -- a member of the office's civil division -- posted about Elon Musk and Ed Martin, a leader of the Stop the Steal movement and President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., the sources said.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2025
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The prospect of potential charges was raised again by U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, after the Florida Republican brought up the Boston Trust Act, a 2014 local law that prohibits city police and other departments from cooperating with federal authorities on civil immigration detainers.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Kyle Palmieri and Alexander Romanov scored the two goals for the Islanders, who now sport a respectable 13-12-5 away record.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
-
The 7-6 Hurricanes finished in the bottom half of the ACC and averaged a respectable 31.5 points per game.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
By combining modern tools like AI with a thoughtful approach to skills and criteria, organizations can move beyond surface-level signals and discover hidden talent.—
Ishan Gupta,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
For Gabrielle, the experience was a reminder of the profound impact of small, thoughtful gestures.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Aside from a series of gruesome martyr scenes frescoed on the interior wall of the second ring in the late 16th century, the decor reflects late Imperial taste for decorous abstraction and costly materials.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Mar. 2025
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Is there any decorous way to acknowledge my failure to do so over the past few years and to express my regret?—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Described as courteous, hard-working, and helpful who doesn't take the spotlight and does the right things.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
22 Dec. 2024
-
Pleasant and courteous, Sri says and does all the right things.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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While the overall atmosphere and design of the restaurant are aesthetically pleasing, the menu is just as satisfactory.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
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Employees in Idaho and across the U.S. say their termination letters blamed their performance despite histories of satisfactory reviews.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to polite
Cite this Entry
“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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