polite

adjective

pə-ˈlīt How to pronounce polite (audio)
Definition of politenext
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

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective polite contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of polite are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and gallant. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

When might chivalrous be a better fit than polite?

The synonyms chivalrous and polite are sometimes interchangeable, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When is civil a more appropriate choice than polite?

Although the words civil and polite have much in common, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When is it sensible to use courteous instead of polite?

The meanings of courteous and polite largely overlap; however, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

How are the words gallant and chivalrous related as synonyms of polite?

Both gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. Gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

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 polite At formal family dinners, Garrett was polite and well mannered. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025 Bumgardner appeared polite and respectful throughout his encounter with police at the scene. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025 Interaction with the clients is very polite, very kind—but very short. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025 When thinking about quintessential Southern attributes, qualities like hospitable, benevolent, and polite come to mind. — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
  1. gracious
  2. proper
  3. civil
  4. respectable
  5. thoughtful
  6. decorous
  7. courteous
  8. satisfactory
Adjective
  • The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Ohtani is back in Japan and that puts an even bigger grin on these gracious locals.
    — Jay Paris, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • There's a little sprinkled throughout, but these all-stars are by and large gracious and amiable.
    — Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • The roundup includes proper studio full-lengths, live recordings, and greatest hits compilations.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • However, in Illinois, a lawsuit has been filed against Samsara, alleging violations of the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) for capturing and storing drivers' facial scans without proper consent.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • Despite clear evidence of misconduct, company leaders ignored the behavior, according to the Department of Justice civil settlement agreement.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The new bankruptcy plan was filed nine months after the U.S. Supreme Court upended the company’s previous attempt to resolve the lawsuits through a bankruptcy settlement that would have granted the Sacklers sweeping civil immunity from opioid lawsuits.
    — Reuters, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of civil
Adjective
  • Collecting old art was posh and respectable, but in an America still scandalized by the sight of breasts, collecting modern art was outrageous.
    — Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The ThinkCentre's display isn't the brightest but matches the IdeaCentre in color coverage, with respectable results for Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 despite not being designed for creative-focused tasks.
    — PCMAG, PCMAG, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • Every question elicits a thoughtful pause and an even more thoughtful answer.
    — Damien Scott, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2025
  • However, with thoughtful development practices, robust oversight and inclusive design, AI can become a powerful tool for creating a more equitable society.
    — Swati Tyagi, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Rather, more parents should welcome, rather than react defensively, when another parent steps in to support your efforts to teach your kids courteous manners.
    — Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 5 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Definition of courteous
Adjective
  • 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
  • All factors add up to the simple fact that Pereira has no satisfactory understudy for Strand Larsen.
    — Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of satisfactory

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“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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