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 Everything here is just better – the way animals are treated, people are polite. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 21 July 2025 Everything here is just better—the way animals are treated, people are polite. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025 The mother is friendly and the son is quiet and polite. —Rebecca Chace july 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025 If a client goes quiet, a polite but firm follow-up message outlining next steps can nudge resolution. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 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 man was gifted, gracious, often generous and seldom mean-spirited.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
  • 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
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • People come back from proper breaks with more energy, better ideas, and fewer signs of burnout.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
  • The trooper found no proper registration for the vehicle.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of civil
Adjective
  • Reeling from scandals in the 1870s, baseball’s owners consciously sought to make the sport respectable by broadening its upper- and middle-class fan-base.
    — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 23 July 2025
  • Despite that streak ending, Swag had a more than respectable opening, debuting with 163,000 overall units on 198.77 million streams, per Billboard.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • While plaintiff opposition reflects legitimate concerns, these can be addressed with thoughtful defense strategies.
    — Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • With thoughtful policy and community input, towns can balance the need for homes with the imperative to protect the natural spaces that define their landscape and legacy.
    — John Emmanuel, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • Their decorous representations of the war and republic are reassuring, especially to modern eyes, in their romanticized heroism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
  • More decorous versions simply excluded Jews, Blacks, and others to create those ethnic enclaves Vance decries in the form of elite institutions from country clubs to, formerly, Congress and the courts.
    — Rebecca Solnit August 23, Literary Hub, 23 Aug. 2024
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • Florida should teach its drivers that the rules of the road are not mere suggestions but should be obeyed, to instill courteous and safe driving habits.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 July 2025
  • The confrontation in the State Dining Room was an unusual breach of the typically courteous interactions that lawmakers, even of opposing parties, have historically shared at the White House.
    — Patrick Whittle, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of courteous
Adjective
  • One factor that now seems to ensure a satisfactory resolution for both parties is the resurrection of the NFL’s interest in taking an equity stake in ESPN, rumors of which first began circulating in early 2024.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 July 2025
  • The plane’s fuel was tested and found to be of satisfactory quality, and no significant bird activity is observed in the vicinity of the flight path, according to the report.
    — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 12 July 2025
Definition of satisfactory

Browse Nearby Words

polish off
polite
politely
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Cite this Entry

“Polite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polite. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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