1
as in polite
following the established traditions of refined society and good taste
those bygone days when young women were taught how to drink tea while wearing long gloves and other genteel ways of behaving
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2
as in civilized
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
she grew up in genteel old Savannah
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3
as in aristocratic
of high birth, rank, or station
the genteel ladies never mixed with the servants prohibited by reason of her genteel birth from marrying the man she loved
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4
as in gracious
showing consideration, courtesy, and good manners
his genteel gesture of holding the door for the ladies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of genteel
Hicks also bristled at my suggestion that this was a genteel, transparent form of public shaming — information that donors and voters could use to pressure lower-performing candidates out of the race, thus increasing the chance that at least one Democrat advances to November.
—
Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Mar. 2026
But for women of Austen’s circumstances, living genteel lives without actual land or ample income, employment would have been inappropriate, even scandalous (recall Philadelphia’s slippery slope scenario), and therefore unthinkable.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
And tours of the Owens-Thomas House and its slave quarters capture an ugly history in which genteel opulence and oppression existed side by side in Savannah.
—Adam Kuehl, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The genteel dean of the Maryland delegation, who helped send billions of federal dollars to his state as an appropriator, was often a key negotiating partner for Republican leaders who maintained better relations with him than the hard-charging Pelosi.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Mar. 2026
But for women of Austen’s circumstances, living genteel lives without actual land or ample income, employment would have been inappropriate, even scandalous (recall Philadelphia’s slippery slope scenario), and therefore unthinkable.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
And tours of the Owens-Thomas House and its slave quarters capture an ugly history in which genteel opulence and oppression existed side by side in Savannah.
—Adam Kuehl, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
The genteel dean of the Maryland delegation, who helped send billions of federal dollars to his state as an appropriator, was often a key negotiating partner for Republican leaders who maintained better relations with him than the hard-charging Pelosi.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Soft spoken, very polite, a good fellow.—
Michael Biesecker,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Stribing was equal parts humble, low key and polite — not at all in keeping with the image of a diva wide receiver.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The 2026 draft footprint stretched across Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium (still Heinz Field in the hearts of civilized people) and by the end of the weekend, the city had hosted one of the biggest football parties in human history.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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That’s pretty reasonable, civilized even.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
News articles and photos of the casual picnic enamored Americans, transforming their view of the royals as rigid and aristocratic to more down-to-earth.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Set the scene The streets of Forte—as insiders call it—are a maze of tall box hedges and gates that shelter private villas built for wealthy and aristocratic Italian families.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The architecture reflects that stately sensibility, with a classic Colonial Revival facade that gives way to interiors scaled for both gracious entertaining and relaxed family living.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Polished, gracious — with a shadow just beneath the surface.—
Merle Ginsberg,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Kirsten Kelly-Vargas and her husband, Gary, felt a similar urgency to acquire the proper attire for the occasion.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Ashlyn Needham wrote in Southern Living that proper hanging matters more than people realize.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The durable cultured marble top holds two ceramic undermount sinks.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
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In short, for the first time Tavira will be in the sights of the cultured, high-end traveler who at last has somewhere to lay their (well coiffured) head.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The people behind Fire in the Mountains have teamed with the Firekeeper Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and mental wellness for the Blackfeet Nation community, making the festival’s raison d’être feel more noble than your standard summer shindig.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
27 Apr. 2026
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That’s the noble and righteous and the principled path sports should walk.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But civil libertarians are unnerved about casting such a wide dragnet that captures highly personal information from hundreds or perhaps thousands of people who aren’t criminals.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Two other people, a civil society leader and a security member, confirmed the information.—
Wilson Mcmakin,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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