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 What is a polite way to address this? —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025 Still, toss this theory around the locker room — about how that Week 16 contest influences this upcoming Week 2 one — and most will be polite but disagree. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025 There’s pressure to be a quiet, polite girl. —Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 Laura, a gallery owner, is polite to Cherry, but is suspicious of her. —Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 10 Sep. 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
  • With news of Redford’s death Tuesday at age 89, several Tiburon residents remembered him as a gracious, unassuming man who liked to walk around town and patronize local restaurants.
    — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Bluemercury was gracious enough to clue our editors in on what its hottest products of the season are, so that you can be better informed when filling your cart with moisturizers, shampoos, serums, hair styling tools, eyeliners, and all sorts of other beauty essentials.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • In the filing, Clark said the nurse failed to provide proper medical care to other patients at the Missouri hospital, adding that another hospital in Phoenix had also terminated her due to patient safety concerns.
    — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Per my grandmother’s advice, making the perfect pancakes on a countertop griddle comes down to maintaining a steady not-too-hot temperature and having a proper non-stick surface.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of proper
Adjective
  • The agreements include a new science and technology partnership, civil nuclear cooperation and defense technology initiatives.
    — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Trump has repeatedly complained about James, who pursued a civil fraud case against him that resulted in a half-billion-dollar penalty.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of civil
Adjective
  • Microsoft sold its entire stake in Apple six years later, netting a very respectable return.
    — Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The Tigers are no slouch in the American Conference and have respectable College Football Playoff aspirations.
    — Sam Sklar, Mississippi Clarion Ledger, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of respectable
Adjective
  • Built between the late 17th century and early 18th century, the picturesque home has been restored by thoughtful architects who preserved the building’s rustic simplicity while ushering it into the modern era.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Housed in the former Town Hall, built in 1816, the museum offers a thoughtful overview of the region’s history.
    — Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of thoughtful
Adjective
  • The hearings are usually decorous affairs, where anger is routine but controlled.
    — David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Still, Julie Rotblatt Amrany got the flying ponytail right and delivered a decorous portrayal that was well received.
    — Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 30 Aug. 2025
Definition of decorous
Adjective
  • By blending emotion with function, this companion robot proves that the future of robotics could be courteous and cuddly.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Remember, drivers spend hours each day talking with passengers, and sometimes silence is the most courteous option.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2025
Definition of courteous
Adjective
  • The answer was not satisfactory to management, sources say.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told USA TODAY that since its initial request for the information in July, the department hasn't given her satisfactory answers about how the information would be used.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Sep. 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 Sep. 2025.

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