1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
those bygone days when young women were taught how to drink tea while wearing long gloves and other genteel ways of behaving
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
she grew up in genteel old Savannah
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3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
the genteel ladies never mixed with the servants prohibited by reason of her genteel birth from marrying the man she loved
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4
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
his genteel gesture of holding the door for the ladies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genteel
The genteel dean of the Maryland delegation, who helped send billions of federal dollars to his state as an appropriator, was often a key negotiating partner for Republican leaders who maintained better relations with him than the hard-charging Pelosi.
—
Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
In Comfort or Bentley mode, the ride is expectedly genteel, the cabin poshly dressed in two-tone leather and new diamond quilting developed solely for this latest Speed variant.
—Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
In ragtag crumbles or genteel chunks, feta cheese gives a frisky flavor edge to food.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 29 Dec. 2025
In Comfort or Bentley mode, the ride is expectedly genteel, the cabin poshly dressed in two-tone leather and new diamond quilting developed solely for this latest Speed variant.
—Robb Report Contributors, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2025
Listen, random bro, Therese is busy lezzing out in an elegant and genteel ’60s manner.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Their kids often come across as highly regulated, well-groomed, and polite to their parents and other adults.—
Kelley King Heyworth,
Parents,
5 Apr. 2026
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That and making sure that next time, you are seated far away from her — and near one of the unfailingly polite and pleasant women instead.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The best actor nominee isn’t the only one noticing a significant change on the red carpet this season — though some events, like the annual VF Oscar Party, have always been more civilized than others.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Because the feudal courts, chivalric codes, and aristocratic patronage that had sustained it were gone.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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The poisoning of a champion stallion opens an investigation that starts to expose tensions and secrets inside an aristocratic horse breeding dynasty.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Not a good idea when your intention is to be gracious.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Bottom-liners had also nixed Gehry’s original design for a more gracious lobby with a cafe out front, not the gloomy one installed against his will.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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City leaders in Brookhaven are reminding residents that cutting down trees without proper approval could come with consequences, as officials double down on efforts to preserve the city's tree canopy.—
Zachary Bynum,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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While there is no cure for the disease, shelters say proper cleaning protocols can help control its spread, and vaccination remains the most effective form of prevention.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The syrupy sweetness brought to mind a pancake, while the faintly cultured cheese turned it savory.—
Cesar Hernandez,
San Francisco Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
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Look for cultured cottage cheese to get an extra dose of probiotics.—
Philipp Wehsack,
Vogue,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Set the scene Set back from Via del Corso, one of Rome’s main arteries, this former noble palazzo, the 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, was also a bank before its present incarnation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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In the 20th century dozens of movies chronicled their adventures, with each era casting its leading man as the noble, brave and loyal, leading musketeer.—
Eleanor Beardsley,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Near the top, mounds built over Cold War civil-defense structures offered city views.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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While many of the California laws banning the political use of public office are civil statutes, one is a criminal statute.—
Will Swaim,
Oc Register,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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