as in graceful
having or showing elegance
his courtly manners made him a favorite escort of widowed socialites
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of courtly
The pianist Steven Blier, who co-founded NYFOS in 1988 and remains its artistic director, is one of the most imaginative programmers in classical music, his myriad interests bursting the courtly confines of the vocal recital.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
And so, despite some emotionally satiating patriotic rhetoric on the campaign trail, Carney was deferential and complimentary to Trump on his courtly visit to the Oval Office shortly after winning the election.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
These firms now pay their rainmakers like Wall Street stars and have dropped their courtly scruples for relentless commercialism.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 5 Feb. 2026
And so, despite some emotionally satiating patriotic rhetoric on the campaign trail, Carney was deferential and complimentary to Trump on his courtly visit to the Oval Office shortly after winning the election.
—Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025
The Tale of Genji ’s early chapters are rooted in fairy-tale monogatari, but the book soon metamorphoses into its own strange thing, a courtly romance that follows Prince Genji over his half century of life, and then, after Genji’s death, takes up the lives of the next generation.
—Lauren Groff, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for courtly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtly
Adjective
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What strikes him about the style is that nothing feels out of place—every column, window, and detail is part of a graceful whole.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
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There is nothing more graceful than a heron in motion.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Barragán originally set out to find the man who scammed his mother by posing as a handsome American soldier, but now interrogates four of these young men, illuminating their psychological tactics, economic hardships and moral dilemmas.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
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With handsome, compound foliage that remains evergreen in frost-free areas, this heat and drought tolerant shrub makes a lovely accent or focal point.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Michter’s has spent years proving that rye can also be elegant, balanced, and surprisingly approachable, and its latest 10 Year Rye release continues that mission.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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In Palm Beach, Florida, Jelly Roll performs at his Little ASS Shed Tour, while in Los Angeles, Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner look elegant as ever in black and white outfits.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adjective
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In a game worthy of the finest chess matches, Patrick Henry High School coach Sheldon Watkins and Ramon Orozco of Eastlake traded moves for seven innings — bunting, stealing and walking hitters intentionally.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
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There’s a fine blue line between stupid and clever.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Several suites are in the mix, including a Palace Roof Suite with swoon-worthy scenery from its waterfront terrace and a Bosphorus Palace Suite that can connect to adjoining rooms to create a three-bedroom royal residence.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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For years, Märtha has shamelessly used her position in the royal family to sell books and courses about how to speak to angels.—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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James and his teammates gave a gallant effort Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena, but the defending champion proved to be more than the Lakers could handle.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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But the Ballances were more than gallant warriors – in fact, a life-size oil painting of Marti’s great-grandfather Charles Ballance’s wife and children – including her grandfather Willis as a 3-year-old – hangs in a place of honor at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Courtly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtly. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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