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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genteel
As the three stories become more intertwined, the genteel politeness on display at the start of the film falls away, revealing an unsettling core.
—
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Even much of the criticism of Musk was relatively genteel.
—Jake Lahut, Wired News, 6 June 2025
Irving Thalberg, born in 1899, grew up in the genteel Brooklyn of German-Jewish doctors and rabbis, a world apart from Mayer’s rougher caste of Eastern European Jews hustling for scrap metal in cold maritime Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
In its early days, it was reviled by some critics as a jarring intrusion on the genteel Georgian symmetry of the square.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025
Even much of the criticism of Musk was relatively genteel.
—Jake Lahut, Wired News, 6 June 2025
Irving Thalberg, born in 1899, grew up in the genteel Brooklyn of German-Jewish doctors and rabbis, a world apart from Mayer’s rougher caste of Eastern European Jews hustling for scrap metal in cold maritime Canada.
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
In its early days, it was reviled by some critics as a jarring intrusion on the genteel Georgian symmetry of the square.
—Mark Landler, New York Times, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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From a software engineering perspective, being polite is a waste of resources.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Just be polite and point out the issue at checkout.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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This is far, far beneath the dignity of a civilized society.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
12 July 2025
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Honoring and showing gratitude to those who step up to help others regardless of their origins is one sign of a civilized society that recognizes the worth of all human beings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Marten, 38, grew up in a wealthy, aristocratic family with ties to the royal family.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
19 July 2025
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Audiences online have reveled in this pivot from Hoult, whose aristocratic vibe has made for great period dramas but never juiced his off-duty style.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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The man was gifted, gracious, often generous and seldom mean-spirited.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
10 July 2025
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But goodness gracious, the Rockies are only (14-36) under Schaeffer after going 7-33 under Black.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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People come back from proper breaks with more energy, better ideas, and fewer signs of burnout.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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The trooper found no proper registration for the vehicle.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Look for cultured cottage cheese to get an extra dose of probiotics.—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
11 July 2025
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Forage Kitchen menu offers bowls, salads, wraps, kombucha and more In their new 1,800-square-foot space, Forage Kitchen will offer a make-your-own bowl option to patrons, along with their power bowl, Thai bowl and a cultured cobb salad.—
Liliana Fannin,
jsonline.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Sean Englert, the grand noble historian of the local Squibob Chapter, said his organization would look into recognizing the history made at the mission.—
Bill Swank,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 July 2025
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But this week, Trump — always looking for a shiny object — is forcing his minions in Congress to muscle through a bill that ends the modest subsidy for the CPB (along with billions in foreign aid and other noble causes).—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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The couple first wed in a civil ceremony on April 18, 1956, before celebrating their union in a separate religious ceremony the next day, per the Napoleonic Code and Roman Catholic Church rules.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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The Combs allegations — involving two ex-girlfriends, graphic testimony and a flood of civil suits — made for ideal on-ramps.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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