politesse

noun

Definition of politessenext
as in politeness

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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 politesse Not to mention the politesse of the ball requires these small exchanges. — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 And indeed, by that time, there was little need for such politesse. — Charlie Tyson, Harpers Magazine, 21 Apr. 2026 Even today, when people complain that much of the excitement of live bidding has disappeared, salesrooms at the major auction houses retain a singular atmosphere of politesse and extortion. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Her social politesse transforms into a maternal fury and the air turns blue with inventive insults. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for politesse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politesse
  1. politeness
  2. gentility
  3. civility
  4. etiquette
  5. graciousness
  6. courtesy
  7. decorum
  8. dignity
Noun
  • The dynamic between the parents and the perpetrators steadily escalates from politeness to hostility to eventual torture, all while maintaining a frustrating attitude of inevitability and justification toward the former’s fate.
    — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
  • She’s used to chief stews who yell and is thrown off by Aesha’s politeness.
    — Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of politeness
Noun
  • At Montage Big Sky, a 139-room wood-and-stone main structure dispenses with antler chandeliers and wagon wheels in favor of easygoing American gentility.
    — Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026
  • Before the yuppie era, a certain staid gentility prevailed.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Definition of gentility
Noun
  • Despite the challenges, many candidates are impelled by the desire to steer political discourse toward civility and issues that matter most to ordinary citizens.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But most of us have been around long enough to miss things such as bipartisanship among lawmakers and general civility.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of civility
Noun
  • The rapper’s all-black outfit was allowed, but his shades violated court etiquette.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In other words, cruise etiquette isn’t about memorizing a list of dos and don’ts.
    — Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of etiquette
Noun
  • There’s a graciousness that runs through these evenings spent with their friends at dinners and happy hours before meals out, with each moment spent together as much a cause for celebration as the event itself.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026
  • From being able to host an impeccable event at a moment’s notice to showing graciousness in every circumstance to having an impressively clean and organized home, manners and poise come to mind.
    — Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of graciousness
Noun
  • Braking performance comes courtesy of Gale Speed calipers, a Kustom Tech master cylinder, and custom in-house caliper brackets.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • While both the primary and secondary suites live on the main level, an ascending staircase leads you up to a dedicated workspace and additional sleeping accommodations courtesy of a sleeper sofa.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of courtesy
Noun
  • These rules are set to maintain decorum, determine the will of the majority, preserve the rights of the minority, and facilitate the orderly transaction of business.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Individual rights and political scientists are raising questions about the Tarrant County Commissioners Court decorum policy that led to the arrest of two people.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of decorum
Noun
  • She was invested in young women and keeping the door open for the next generation of leaders, and her advocacy was always about fighting for the strength, intelligence, and dignity of women everywhere.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • But, as mad as the idea may have seemed back then, the tradition is still going strong 40 years later with participants coming from around the world to cast their dignity aside — along with a warm robe — and take the plunge into the freezing water.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of dignity

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Cite this Entry

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

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