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.

“In any other situation, however, school officials should be polite and extend common courtesy, but should not assist with or permit enforcement activities on school grounds not required by lawful order.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

When it comes to manners, Debrett's - a leading UK authority on etiquette - lists polite behaviours for the cinema, including to:

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

"If I am polite, I would say the world was not prepared for it. Is it prepared now? I hope so," Bachelet, 74, told reporters after a three-hour hearing before member states.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

A refinery that runs out of crude doesn’t post a polite quarterly loss.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

I tried to be as polite as I could.

From "The Million Dollar Shot" by Dan Gutman

Vocabulary lists containing polite

Real Nice!

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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