Definitions

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.

Genteel Southern culture figured more prominently in Wu’s upbringing than ancient Chinese traditions did.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 16, 2019

His, is a contrived Genteel feebleness and "daintines"; almost like he needs smelling-salts if he is challenged.

From New York Times • Jan. 23, 2018

Genteel and wryly suave, Nick seldom tangles physically with the blackmailers, assassins and sundry evildoers whom he ferrets out with one hand while reaching for a martini with the other.

From Time Magazine Archive

Genteel as it was, the counterconvention did serve to introduce older members of the profession to the Union for Radical Political Economics, or URPE.

From Time Magazine Archive

Genteel in personage, Conduct, and equipage; Noble by heritage, Generous and free.

From Familiar Quotations A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature by Bartlett, John

Vocabulary lists containing genteel

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Johnny Tremain

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