Definitions

polite

[puh-lahyt] / pəˈlaɪt /

ADJECTIVE

mannerly, civilized

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affable amiable attentive civil conciliatory considerate cordial courteous courtly deferential diplomatic friendly genteel gentle good-natured gracious neighborly pleasant respectful sociable sympathetic thoughtful well-behaved well-mannered

WEAK

amenable bland complaisant concerned condescending cultured elegant mild nice obliging obsequious polished politic punctilious refined smooth solicitous urbane well-bred

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aloof antagonistic callous cold cool disagreeable discourteous disrespectful hateful heedless impolite inattentive inconsiderate mean nasty rough rude surly thoughtless uncaring uncivil unfeeling unfriendly unkind unmannerly unmindful unpleasant unrefined unsociable

WEAK

uncivilized unsophisticated

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.

A spontaneous laugh triggered by tickling differs from a polite laugh during a meeting, a nervous laugh after making a mistake, or contagious laughter shared among friends.

From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026

It was pulled two years later because of “high cost, privacy concerns, and public confusion about its purpose” — a polite rewording of “I look like a dork and everyone thinks I’m awful.”

From Salon • Jul. 2, 2026

And faced with Healey's polite criticism in the chamber, Jarvis admitted that "we need to do more" beyond today's announcement.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

A letter seems like a relatively polite way of asking for money.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

He wasn’t only smart, he was very polite, too.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Vocabulary lists containing polite

Real Nice!

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"Kids Like Me: Voices of the Immigrant Experience"

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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