polite

[puh-lahyt] / pəˈlaɪt /

ADJECTIVE

mannerly, civilized

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affable amiable attentive civil conciliatory considerate cordial courteous courtly deferential diplomatic friendly genteel gentle good-natured gracious neighborly pleasant respectful sociable sympathetic thoughtful well-behaved well-mannered

WEAK

amenable bland complaisant concerned condescending cultured elegant mild nice obliging obsequious polished politic punctilious refined smooth solicitous urbane well-bred

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aloof antagonistic callous cold cool disagreeable discourteous disrespectful hateful heedless impolite inattentive inconsiderate mean nasty rough rude surly thoughtless uncaring uncivil unfeeling unfriendly unkind unmannerly unmindful unpleasant unrefined unsociable

WEAK

uncivilized unsophisticated

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.

But the old script — be polite, get ignored, lose anyway — is no longer defensible.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

The views range from polite curiosity to direct opposition.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Paul Freeman said: "He was just a genuine, quiet, nice guy, you know? He kept himself to himself... he was always polite, always waved."

From BBC • May 13, 2026

But the main witness, the police officer who had initially confronted Gamble, was grim-faced, rigidly polite, and completely serious about his claims.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Fischer rushed through the backstage corridor onto the subtly flower-bedecked stage and was greeted by the polite applause of an audience of twenty-three hundred.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Vocabulary lists containing polite

Real Nice!

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"Kids Like Me: Voices of the Immigrant Experience"

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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