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
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2
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
she grew up in genteel old Savannah
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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
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4
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
his genteel gesture of holding the door for the ladies
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Recent Examples of genteel
So writes David Netto in an inspiring new monograph on the early-20th-century visionary, whose Manhattan apartment houses redefined genteel city living on the Upper East Side and beyond.
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Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2024
But like many of those who survived the era, his public image had softened with age into a genteel host of parties in Hollywood and the Hamptons, a fashion-forward businessman, and a doting father who spoiled his kids, some of whom lost their mother in 2018.
—Andrew Dalton, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024
This England are touring down under at the end of 2025 and as a preparatory test, the summer of 2024 could not have been more genteel.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Currently, most gay filmmakers resort to politicized or flamboyant camp, so Merchant Ivory reports on men of the generation that, even during the AIDS crisis, chose genteel refinement as their preference and identity.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for genteel 
Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 19 Sep. 2024
But like many of those who survived the era, his public image had softened with age into a genteel host of parties in Hollywood and the Hamptons, a fashion-forward businessman, and a doting father who spoiled his kids, some of whom lost their mother in 2018.
—Andrew Dalton, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024
This England are touring down under at the end of 2025 and as a preparatory test, the summer of 2024 could not have been more genteel.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
Currently, most gay filmmakers resort to politicized or flamboyant camp, so Merchant Ivory reports on men of the generation that, even during the AIDS crisis, chose genteel refinement as their preference and identity.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Craft a comprehensive script of polite yet firm responses for declining holiday invitations or managing family expectations without guilt.Tor Constantino, MBA, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
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Does Miss Manners have a suggestion for a polite way of indicating that, since they couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge the first gift, subsequent gifts should not be solicited?Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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There are plenty of Scots and Irish in Toronto, but the proceedings are somewhat more civilized, if not a bit Hollywood-twee, what with lapdogs decked out as Michael Keaton’s famous character.Guy Martin, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
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As America finally melts down under the New Founding Fathers’ murderous regime, our heroes must take refuge by escaping over the border to Mexico — to more civilized lands.Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The mood was one of happy improvisation, a sort of aristocratic Fawlty Towers art-directed by Slim Aarons.Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
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Hotel Esencia | Originally the private home of an Italian Duchess located 45-minutes north of Tulum, Esencia maintains its aristocratic character in the hands of owner Kevin Wendle.Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Lucas Oil tweeted a video of the large, inflatable bracelet being hung while thanking their BFF Caesars Dome for the gracious gift.Kurtcia Collazo, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Nov. 2024
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Even with this common sense stowed away somewhere in our brains, gracious hosts can't help but want everything to be as close to perfect as possible for their guests (yes, even in the rooms no one will enter).Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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To ensure proper data management, training on data collection, entry and analysis needs to be an integral part of quarterly or semiannual performance reviews.Robert Clark, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
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But not having proper documentation can bring serious consequences.Trisha Mukherjee, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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But the Grimms wanted to preserve the culture of the common folk, not to make the folk sound cultured.Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
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The race is therefore on to produce cultured meat at scale, with products that look, smell and taste like real meat, right down to their texture.David Prosser, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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In the Price family, going to prison was seen as a badge of honor, or a rite of passage; but the reality of it doesn’t feel half as noble as the idea.Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
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No matter how well-intentioned a policy goal or noble a humanitarian cause, there are always tradeoffs to weigh before deciding on a course of action.Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
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Businesses near the White House were boarded up today as a precaution should there be civil unrest.Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
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However, after the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol after former President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, the area has been on high alert to curb any post-election civil unrest.Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near genteel
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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