as in politeness
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Recent Examples of politesse
In 1948, Vogue published its 658-page Book of Etiquette, compiled by editor Millicent Fenwick, featuring how-tos, dos and don’ts, and the proper politesse for a remarkably varied set of scenarios.
—
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2024
Her body language changes, her voice goes into the upper register of ladylike politesse.
—Jonathan Van Meter, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024
Decades of French lessons schooled me in the strict rules of politesse.
—Theresa Conroy, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2024
That’s the way it’s done in the Senate, where the politesse of a seemingly bygone political era still reigns supreme.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
The politesse of reassurance may be desirable and decorous, but U.S. allies are not about to abandon their patron.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
Earlier, the girls had waved off a proffered map with the icy politesse of a Tour de France winner declining training wheels.
—Judith Stone, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
In her interview, Welker seemed fed on the American tradition of treating every politician, even those complicit in an attempt to overturn the democratic tradition, with the utmost in politesse.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023
The avatars onscreen were often just rectangles or blobs, and the concepts had to stay within the bounds of dinner-table politesse.
—Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2021
Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2024
Her body language changes, her voice goes into the upper register of ladylike politesse.
—Jonathan Van Meter, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024
Decades of French lessons schooled me in the strict rules of politesse.
—Theresa Conroy, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2024
That’s the way it’s done in the Senate, where the politesse of a seemingly bygone political era still reigns supreme.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
The politesse of reassurance may be desirable and decorous, but U.S. allies are not about to abandon their patron.
—Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 22 Feb. 2022
Earlier, the girls had waved off a proffered map with the icy politesse of a Tour de France winner declining training wheels.
—Judith Stone, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
In her interview, Welker seemed fed on the American tradition of treating every politician, even those complicit in an attempt to overturn the democratic tradition, with the utmost in politesse.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023
The avatars onscreen were often just rectangles or blobs, and the concepts had to stay within the bounds of dinner-table politesse.
—Neima Jahromi, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse
Noun
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Levinson, who can find warmth and humor in most circumstances, is naturally drawn toward Frank’s gentility.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
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Ed’s monstrous behavior under the influence of cortisone shatters the veneer of middle-class gentility to reveal the fault lines repressed beneath it.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Being Mississippi, a state that prides itself on its southern civility, each time something significant passes in the state legislature, there is a tendency to pretend that change ...—
Douglas Carswell,
National Review,
2 Apr. 2025
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Since voters can’t wash a president’s or member of Congress’s mouth out with soap, the question becomes whether this salty language is merely for performative shock value or a sign of declining civility in American culture.—
John Scott Lewinski,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The majority of post commenters agreed that the partial invitation felt like a wedding etiquette faux pas.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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According to Newsweek's guide to plane etiquette, remaining calm, accommodating and patient can greatly enhance the travel experience for all involved.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The deep space asteroid that recently made headlines for its potential to collide with Earth received its own photoshoot courtesy of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
3 Apr. 2025
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The very act of looking up from your phone or notes can signal courtesy and enthusiasm.—
Bala Sathyanarayanan,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the sergeant at arms to restore order.—
NPR,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
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The biggest challenges facing Coral Gables are public safety, irresponsible development, a lack of transparency and a lack of decorum in government.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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They can be done with respect for human dignity and with respect for the law — and they're not being done that way now.—
Tonya Mosley,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2025
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The effort was framed as a check on the destruction and loss of civilian life in Gaza—an issue that evokes deep concern for many, including Jews, who overwhelmingly stand for justice and human dignity.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politesse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politesse. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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