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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 Crises rarely arrive with polite warnings or predictable timetables. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 What is a polite way to say no to a donation request? Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2025 In doing all that detail work, Margolin is too polite and respectful toward her own characters. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2025 Despite their polite and understated personalities, the Japanese can’t dim their enthusiasm for baseball’s brightest star. Jay Paris, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polite
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
Adjective
  • However, a movie can’t be a hit at the international box office without a proper theatrical release internationally.
    Simon Thompson, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • After your salon visit, keep your color looking fresh with proper color-safe products, including a good shampoo and conditioner, like Laura Polko’s Color Protect Shampoo and Conditioner, followed by a leave-in treatment.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., posed a few questions to Cassandra Burke Robertson, a scholar of civil proceedings and legal ethics, to break down some of the dynamics of this complex, evolving case.
    Cassandra Burke Robertson, The Conversation, 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
Adjective
  • The sensor sizes for all three lenses are respectable, but nothing mind blowing.
    Ben Sin, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Woll’s final tally of 24 saves on 26 shots was plenty respectable.
    Nick Ashbourne, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Searching for a thoughtful gift for your mother-in-law who has everything?
    Brie Schwartz, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The thoughtful renovation opened a new chapter for a mother and her three kids.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025
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
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
Adjective
  • The procedure was performed via minimal access and the result was satisfactory.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • His messages online sound all too typical of the brash and bratty computer techies who seem to think insults are satisfactory entertainment for their followers.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on polite

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