1
as in kindness
an act of kind assistance
did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gesture
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
the greeting "How are you?" is often intended as no more than a courtesy
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in attentiveness
speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding
a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 courtesy
That first strike came courtesy of Catherine Dubois, a versatile depth forward, who was moved onto Montreal’s top line beside Poulin and Laura Stacey in an effort to spread out the team’s offense.
—
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Keeping conversations quiet and using headphones is basic courtesy.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
All, Tyler Brown said, courtesy of Jones and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Throughout the season, pedestrians are able to stroll freely through the eight-block area, which will be blocked off to traffic, enjoying local businesses and entertainment courtesy of the Center City District.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for courtesy
Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 13 May 2026
Keeping conversations quiet and using headphones is basic courtesy.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
All, Tyler Brown said, courtesy of Jones and the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Throughout the season, pedestrians are able to stroll freely through the eight-block area, which will be blocked off to traffic, enjoying local businesses and entertainment courtesy of the Center City District.
—Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for courtesy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesy
Noun
-
Understand that kindness and consideration can go a long way in these types of negotiation situations.—
Rebecca Jones,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
Regardless of travel purpose or appearance, kindness and patience matter most in how passengers are treated.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The unexpected, sweet gesture instantly changed the tone in the room.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
The film eliminated even a gesture toward a plot while showing solitary nonprofessional and real-life ranch-hand Misael Saavedra chopping and hauling logs in the Argentinian hinterlands (in actuality, Alonso’s family’s ranch).—
Vadim Rizov,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Nolan’s attentiveness to his characters extends beyond the page.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
-
The variance with accustomed Goodspeed values is apparent from the very first moments, though the opening gambit fails due to an appalling lack of attentiveness from the audience.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The day before, the forest service responded to eight wildfire requests covering roughly 24,700 acres on Thursday.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
With over 500,000 weekly trips across the country, our service is proven to significantly reduce traffic injuries and improve road safety.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Whether that was Florida officials flying into Oxford for a visit during a bye-week, or Kiffin engaging with LSU officials in different manners over the final few weeks of the Rebels' regular season.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
Over the course of 18 months, Jackie and Laura will coach Natty on all the necessary skills to become a big-league service dog, including good manners and basic cues, all while maintaining a healthy diet on food provided by program partner, Eukanuba.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Personally, as a marketing executive who's had the privilege of guiding multiple organizations and employees through transformations, internal and external strategic communication is critical for employee well-being and organizational stability.—
Christina Wood,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
His new films taps into the mood in his native Russia in 2022 with a twist-laden tale of privilege, betrayal, jealously, primordial survival instinct and compromise in a Russian provincial city.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Traditionally, the style focuses on making jabs at someone’s appearance or identity, welcoming hurtful comments that punch down on someone when done without thoughtfulness.—
Steven Vargas,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Rejecting the gift too honestly would overshadow the thoughtfulness behind it.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Alexis Mac Allister, whose fall from grace this season has been akin to Fabinho’s stark decline in 2022-23, stupidly delayed the taking of a Villa corner with some playacting which even prompted Slot to tell him to get up.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
But that was just the start of how Louderback came to own it … and in the process demonstrated his abiding dignity and grace.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesy. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
