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.

And faced with Healey's polite criticism in the chamber, Jarvis admitted that "we need to do more" beyond today's announcement.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

It was hard squaring the hulking mass of midshipmen who would nearly trample me at Herndon with these two polite teenagers prone to nervous laughter.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2026

Being polite could improve your odds of getting your request approved.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026

After a lifetime of being pleasant, polite and self-effacing, trying to brag is like taking a final you haven’t studied for, given in a foreign language.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

"Hello," Nancy said in her most polite voice.

From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene

Vocabulary lists containing polite

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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