knightly

adjective

Definition of knightlynext
as in kingly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 knightly He’s saved by a drunken Ser Arlan, who comes stumbling into the alley and instinctively follows his knightly code to defend the innocent. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026 Far from a knightly war, the German advance in 1941-1942 against France was a dirty one, with thieving of private property and menace against civilians. — Christopher C. Gorham september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025 The entire Christian civilization on which our country is built is a knightly message to defend widows and orphans. — Fox News, 9 June 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for knightly
  1. kingly
  2. princely
  3. queenly
  4. lordly
  5. royal
  6. gentlemanly
  7. regal
Adjective
  • The result, historians say, has become a centralized, more politicized spectacle, marking the national milestone as a celebration of an imperial presidency rather than a revolution from kingly rule.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • On the thirteenth-century tomb of Eleanor of Aquitaine, she is shown wide awake and reading, while her dull and kingly husband sleeps for all eternity.
    — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
Definition of kingly
Adjective
  • The disgraced ex-Duke of York is rarely seen outside of his new home at Marsh Farm after his brother King Charles stripped him of all his princely titles and privileges last year.
    — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Charles has since formally removed Andrew’s princely title and HRH style.
    — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of princely
Adjective
  • Her hair is still red, but now straightened and shortened into a bob; the curly and queenly aura is now history in favor of something that is even h-o-t-t-e-r-t-o-go.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Bronze Age cemetery likely held highborn warriors, contemporaries of Ulysses, but perhaps a queenly mother lay among them.
    — Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2026
Definition of queenly
Adjective
  • But the cruelty and callousness of the lordly class infuses it all.
    — Ky Henderson, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2024
  • The surge ended in the World Series, the lordly Yankees winning in six games, but Mays was on his way and Durocher gave him full credit.
    — Mike Kupper, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
Definition of lordly
Adjective
  • The pair stepped down from their royal duties and moved to California in 2020.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And having survived centuries of royal caprice, and at least one arson attack, the pavilion is now a museum, open to the masses.
    — Lauren Frayer, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of royal
Adjective
  • Likewise, the respite afforded by the twin hydration breaks has also reduced the need for improvised periods of gentlemanly repose, which in turn has lessened the demand for the chilly spray.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026
  • Sean Connery first portrayed the legendary spy as a confident and ruthless Cold War warrior, while Roger Moore added camp and a gentlemanly touch to the role.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of gentlemanly
Adjective
  • There’s something touching about her imperiousness, a regal vulnerability that shines through even in her romantic interaction with Dussie Mae (CJ Obilom), whom Levee has his predatory eye on.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • His oceanic roots and regal presence reflect the franchise's enduring legacy.
    — Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of regal

Browse Nearby Words

knightliness
knightly
knights
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Knightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/knightly. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All