as in courteously
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Recent Examples of politely
Three sitting rooms are complemented by a further three members’ social spaces for carousing in, concealed behind a subtle screen (here, DJs including Goldierocks make appearances, and mobile snaps are banned; staff politely place a sticker over mobile camera lenses).
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
As the credits rolled, the audience clapped politely.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 17 May 2026
Your goal is to politely bypass the buzzwords and get a clear picture of the day-to-day experience.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
That neighborhood-level knowledge — pricing trends in NoDa versus Ballantyne versus Plaza Midwood, for example — can be the difference between an offer that wins and one that’s politely declined.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Tony Wong Workplace conflict rarely announces itself politely.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The top candidates in California’s wide-open race for governor took the stage Wednesday night in a Los Angeles debate that began politely but quickly devolved into another raucous clash.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
When her mom politely declined, Heath turned to Press.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 1 May 2026
My question is how to politely tell this man to stop.
—R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026
As the credits rolled, the audience clapped politely.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 17 May 2026
Your goal is to politely bypass the buzzwords and get a clear picture of the day-to-day experience.
—Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
That neighborhood-level knowledge — pricing trends in NoDa versus Ballantyne versus Plaza Midwood, for example — can be the difference between an offer that wins and one that’s politely declined.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 15 May 2026
Tony Wong Workplace conflict rarely announces itself politely.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 13 May 2026
The top candidates in California’s wide-open race for governor took the stage Wednesday night in a Los Angeles debate that began politely but quickly devolved into another raucous clash.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
When her mom politely declined, Heath turned to Press.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 1 May 2026
My question is how to politely tell this man to stop.
—R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politely
Adverb
-
When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation.—
Walter Fields,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The image of the week was Musk standing in the plaza outside the Great Hall of the People, phone aloft, spinning a full 360 degrees to capture a panoramic video of his surroundings while Cook, Huang, and the other CEOs stood respectfully still.—
Drew Bernstein,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
Recreate safely and respectfully to the landscape.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
15 May 2026
Adverb
-
Dotter estimates 25 to 45 defendants a year would be civilly committed if the bill passes.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The bill also says that those blocking a road could also be held civilly liable for damages.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
And Carey, just very shyly, was like, ‘Yep, that’s my kitchen.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
So much so that after the discussion, Cole shyly approached the stranger.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politely. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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