couth 1 of 2

adjective

ˈküth How to pronounce couth (audio)
Definition of couthnext
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living he's remarkably couth for someone who grew up in a small town with limited cultural opportunities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

couth

2 of 2

noun

as in accomplishment
a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts their future son-in-law's lack of couth was of some concern to this patrician couple

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of couth
Noun
Even some of Durant’s Warriors’ teammates manifested their artsiness in less-than-couth ways. — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 11 June 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couth
  1. civilized
  2. accomplishment
  3. cultured
  4. civilization
  5. manners
  6. culture
  7. refinement
  8. education
Adjective
  • Aaron Turpen / New Atlas The next big surprise is how civilized the Charger has become.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Oct. 2026
  • On pavement, the 4Runner was comfortable and surprisingly civilized considering the serious off-road hardware underneath it.
    — Denver Post, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of civilized
Noun
  • No North American sports franchise can claim such an accomplishment since the Shaq- and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers from 2000 to 2002.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • And yet, in Wembanyama’s eyes — and those of his teammates — those accomplishments amount to little more than a prelude.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of accomplishment
Adjective
  • Too obviously the gift of someone trying to seem casually cultured?
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • As the war wound down, Olivier was becoming more obsessed with directing, often counting on Leigh as his cultured, measured adviser.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of cultured
Noun
  • The Middle East has seen several significant archaeological discoveries in 2026, revealing new insights into ancient civilizations and the region’s rich history.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The arc of this feud is now well known to all and will no doubt be shaped into the epic poetry our descendants recite in front of bonfires long after our civilization collapses.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of civilization
Noun
  • The problem isn’t so much a question of bad manners or even of corruption.
    — Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
  • On the Awesome Etiquette podcast, Lizzie Post and Daniel Post Senning answer your questions on, well, pressing manners.
    — Air Mail, Air Mail, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of manners
Noun
  • In cell cultures, the researchers found that gamma delta T cells could kill the cancer cells when redirected by the drug.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The brand reinterpreted the Karakorum, Verone, Himalaya and Tibb jackets, paying tribute to its history, alpine culture and commitment to outfitting expeditions.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of culture
Noun
  • The partners describe a process of testing and refinement that continues through performance validation and industrial production.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Here, next to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina, adventure and refinement exist in effortless harmony.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of refinement
Noun
  • Most of his son’s school day is in a special education classroom, but his plan requires him to spend a certain amount of time in a general education classroom alongside his peers.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Catholic preschools’ argument had relied heavily on a series of Supreme Court decisions, starting in 2017, that involved religious schools and public funding – and shifted the wall between church and state in education.
    — Preston Green III, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of education

Browse Nearby Words

cousins
couth
couture
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Cite this Entry

“Couth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couth. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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