as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of courtly
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
This single feast, emblematic of Fes’s cuisine, carries the taste of the courtly table of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, the flavors served at the Alhambra in Islamic Andalucia, a blend of West African spices, and Amazigh know-how.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
And so, despite some emotionally satiating patriotic rhetoric on the campaign trail, Carney was deferential and complimentary to Trump on his courtly visit to the Oval Office shortly after winning the election.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
This single feast, emblematic of Fes’s cuisine, carries the taste of the courtly table of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad, the flavors served at the Alhambra in Islamic Andalucia, a blend of West African spices, and Amazigh know-how.
—Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Dec. 2025
And so, despite some emotionally satiating patriotic rhetoric on the campaign trail, Carney was deferential and complimentary to Trump on his courtly visit to the Oval Office shortly after winning the election.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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What strikes him about the style is that nothing feels out of place—every column, window, and detail is part of a graceful whole.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
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There is nothing more graceful than a heron in motion.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Pull out your credit card to shop elevated bedroom furniture finds like a stylish frame to sleep in on the weekends or a handsome dresser to store your trove of winter sweaters.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
22 May 2026
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Heidi Klum has the most handsome dates as son Henry and husband Tom Kaulitz accompany her to the amfAR Gala in Cannes on May 21.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The wrap-style ruffle hemline adds elegant volume and dimension to its skirt.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
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Brugal French 88 Made by Jassil Villanueva Quintana, the world’s youngest and fifth generation rum master, Brugal Rum is rooted in Dominican heritage, perfect for this tropical yet elegant cocktail.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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To achieve, Connor turns to ultra-fine babylights, lowlighting, root melting, and using demi-permanent color—making grey part of the overall design with far less commitment than full coverage color.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
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That picture works fine for Earth.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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Middleton capped off her 2025 royal duties in a shimmering gown gown by the British designer for the December state banquet honoring German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
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The Amazon subsidiary behind Masters of the Universe is called Regal Leo UK Productions in a nod to He-Man's royal lineage and MGM's roaring lion logo.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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James and his teammates gave a gallant effort Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena, but the defending champion proved to be more than the Lakers could handle.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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But the Ballances were more than gallant warriors – in fact, a life-size oil painting of Marti’s great-grandfather Charles Ballance’s wife and children – including her grandfather Willis as a 3-year-old – hangs in a place of honor at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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