genteel

[jen-teel] / dʒɛnˈtil /

ADJECTIVE

sophisticated, cultured

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aristocratic elegant noble ostentatious polite refined stylish

WEAK

affected artificial chivalrous civil confined courteous courtly cultivated distingué fashionable formal graceful hollow intolerant la-di-da mannerly polished pompous precious pretentious priggish prim prissy prudish respectable strait-laced stuffy urbane well-behaved well-bred well-mannered

Antonyms

STRONGEST

uncivilized unfashionable unrefined unsophisticated

WEAK

boorish callous rough rude rugged uncultured

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.

Like many small liberal-arts colleges in New England, St. Michael’s campus resembles a postcard from a more genteel era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

This is simply his pitch for escaping New York, but in a genteel manner.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

The spat led to fears that curling was losing its once genteel image and the Canadians faced criticism in their own national media.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

Pilates, which combines stretching and body weight conditioning exercises, has, for some, a fusty image - a gentle and genteel workout for those of advancing years.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

She saw a genteel centaur bearing a princess sidesaddle, and such was the atmosphere of magic that they weren’t out of place here.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Vocabulary lists containing genteel

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