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 Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Ultimately, being genuine is more memorable than attempting to appear polite. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025 Forward Niall Ennis approaches cautiously and is teased mercilessly over his polite request for a service station drop-off after the weekend’s game. —Philip Buckingham, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 27 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
  • Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.
    — Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The press conference had a very gracious tone on the U.S. relationship.
    — Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • All my Social Security user logins are again able to connect and view the proper benefit information.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The government insisted the nonprofits didn't have standing to bring this case on behalf of the employees because the employees themselves needed go through the proper, yet limited, channels to challenge their firings, with each employee fighting his or her own battle.
    — Christina Gatti, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • If this were a civil case, the parties would likely file motions for summary judgment, and the judge would be able to offer an explanation of how the law applies to the evidence adduced at trial.
    — Andrea Tinianow, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • In civil cases, confidential settlements can resolve matters that might have taken years to go to trial, by allowing those accused of wrongdoing to minimize any publicity.
    — David W. Chen, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of civil
Adjective
  • The daughter of Season 25’s Bryan Olesen turned out a perfectly respectable rendition of Avril Lavigne’s ballad.
    — Charlie Mason, TVLine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Rose shot a very respectable round of 71, but had too many bogeys mixed in with his handful of birdies.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • This is a complex matter requiring thoughtful consideration and a long-term perspective.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The pair both showed up to their second date on the beach with thoughtful gifts and eventually shared their first kiss before Tyler met Madison's family.
    — Glamour, Glamour, 10 Apr. 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
  • The sound from the optional Bose 12-speaker upgrade is satisfactory.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Yet a great deal remained to be paid with funds expected after the submission of satisfactory progress reports.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 30 Mar. 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 22 Apr. 2025.

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