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
Across the street was the Mortensen House, a Spanish Colonial Revival villa from 1929, with courtly arches under a Mediterranean red-tile roof.
—
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
State of play: The courtly and restrained Bessent warned of economic disaster if Trump's 2017 package of tax cuts, many of which are due to expire at the end of the year, are not extended.
—Axios, 27 Jan. 2025
The courtly Time-magazine essayist who described the American Century with wit, outrage, and wry wisdom
By Roger Rosenblatt
Read On
The Seasoned Traveler
Enrique Olvera The Mexican chef behind Cosme and Pujol reveals his travel routine
Read On
Going Anywhere Soon?
—airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024
In the video, guests dressed for an Instagrammable, Regency-era ball, while an orchestra played music for courtly dances and Lopez sat on a throne, holding court as her own version of Queen Charlotte.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2025
State of play: The courtly and restrained Bessent warned of economic disaster if Trump's 2017 package of tax cuts, many of which are due to expire at the end of the year, are not extended.
—Axios, 27 Jan. 2025
The courtly Time-magazine essayist who described the American Century with wit, outrage, and wry wisdom
By Roger Rosenblatt
Read On
The Seasoned Traveler
Enrique Olvera The Mexican chef behind Cosme and Pujol reveals his travel routine
Read On
Going Anywhere Soon?
—airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024
In the video, guests dressed for an Instagrammable, Regency-era ball, while an orchestra played music for courtly dances and Lopez sat on a throne, holding court as her own version of Queen Charlotte.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 25 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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While speaking as part of QVC's Quintessential 50, a collective of women that ushered in the brand's its new era called The Age of Possibility, Stewart explained that feeling good about yourself allows for graceful aging.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Housed in a graceful Edwardian building with long oak galleries and graceful skylights, Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street is one of London’s most beautiful bookshops.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The décor is handsome, comfortably restrained and acoustically satisfying.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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For action movie enthusiasts, the attraction of James Bond films is the archetypal handsome hero battling villains and restoring justice.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Baden-Baden Nestled alongside Germany's southwestern Black Forest, Baden-Baden is an elegant town that has been attracting wellness lovers since the Roman times.—
Sofia Markovich,
Travel + Leisure,
24 July 2025
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Complementing the accommodations and A-list automobiles are the property’s elegant Espelette restaurant and bar, the 5,000-square-foot La Prairie Spa, a pool with panoramic city views, and the rarefied Rooftop culinary experience.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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People in their finest gathered under those lights.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
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Based on how Padres pitchers have performed, Díaz and Maldonado had a fine defensive first half.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Elizabeth’s other royal dressmakers included Hardy Amies, who made several formal evening gowns for her, and Ian Thomas, once Hartnell’s assistant, who crafted cascading, colorful evening gowns and sleek ensembles for diplomatic tours.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 July 2025
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The royal family recently celebrated Prince George's 12th birthday on Tuesday, July 22.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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In 1951, George Reeves played the gallant superhero in the first feature film based on a DC Comics character, Superman and the Mole Man.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
11 July 2025
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Fiennes exhibits that side of him without apology, which only makes his gallant side feel all the more genuine.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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