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.

You are not politically correct and don’t necessarily belong always in polite society.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

When I asked my opening question "What is it really like to be a girl in 2025/26? Tell me the truth, don't be polite!"

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

He was well spoken and polite, so his bosses soon began sending him on the most important jobs.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

She called the emails “casual correspondence” and stated, “My polite reply to her email doesn’t amount to anything more than a trivial note.”

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Her favorite treat was a chocolate cupcake but whenever she started licking the frosting or crumbs off the wrapper, Mrs. Palmer said it wasn’t polite to lick the wrapper, and made her stop.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

Vocabulary lists containing polite

Real Nice!

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Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key

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