genteel

[jen-teel] / dʒɛnˈtil /

ADJECTIVE

sophisticated, cultured

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aristocratic elegant noble ostentatious polite refined stylish

WEAK

affected artificial chivalrous civil confined courteous courtly cultivated distingué fashionable formal graceful hollow intolerant la-di-da mannerly polished pompous precious pretentious priggish prim prissy prudish respectable strait-laced stuffy urbane well-behaved well-bred well-mannered

Antonyms

STRONGEST

uncivilized unfashionable unrefined unsophisticated

WEAK

boorish callous rough rude rugged uncultured

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is simply Sheridan’s pitch for escaping New York, but in a genteel manner.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

The winner Talarico, who has a Master of Divinity degree from a Christian seminary, offered a more genteel approach.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

The spat led to fears that curling was losing its once genteel image and the Canadians faced criticism in their own national media.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

Emails reveal the wealthy taking proxy measures of one another’s yachts and villas, showboating their riches in ways that make Tom Wolfe’s “Bonfire of the Vanities” look like a genteel glimpse into society mores.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Not a polite, genteel smile but an actual unexpected giggle.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Vocabulary lists containing genteel

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