discourtesy

noun

dis·​cour·​te·​sy (ˌ)dis-ˈkər-tə-sē How to pronounce discourtesy (audio)
1
2
: a rude act

Examples of discourtesy in a Sentence

His tardiness was just another in a series of small discourtesies. the courtiers shuddered at the discourtesy shown to the king
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At least seven different civilian complaints have been lodged against the sergeant, alleging excessive force, discourtesy and abuse of authority. Shayla Colon, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024 Henderson then accused her of discourtesy and ordered her transferred to the 73rd Precinct then back to the 79th Precinct in one day. Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024 The increase was spread nearly evenly across four broad categories — misuse of force, abuse of authority, discourtesy and offensive language. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2024 That’s touch, and Payne’s always had it, this knack for crudeness and discourtesy, for pleasing whiffs of sweetness that can take the form of wit or revenge, pettiness or justice. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023 On Twitter, Tyler Winklevoss complained that Gensler had shared the SEC’s legal complaint with the media before serving it on Gemini—a type of discourtesy frowned upon by serious lawyers, which is likely explained by the fact Gensler himself is not an attorney. Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 13 Jan. 2023 In an act of blatant discourtesy, the 20-year-old reporter-in-training pulled out the mobile phone and answered it. Mike Finger, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Feb. 2023 The brouhaha, especially the recent arrest at the school board meeting, has left residents of all races, political loyalties and religious beliefs lamenting the disruption and discourtesy. Washington Post, 1 July 2021 McManus, in firing the officers, also cited acts of incompetency, discourtesy and lack of moral character. Express-News Staff Report, ExpressNews.com, 12 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of discourtesy was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near discourtesy

Cite this Entry

“Discourtesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourtesy. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

discourtesy

noun
dis·​cour·​te·​sy dis-ˈkərt-ə-sē How to pronounce discourtesy (audio)
plural discourtesies
1
: rude behavior
2
: a rude act

More from Merriam-Webster on discourtesy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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