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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
For even the least genteel arriviste, owning Mar-a-Lago and endearing oneself to an important Palm Beach charity would guarantee what is called entree, a place on all the right invitation lists and membership at one of the social clubs.
—
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
All this might be a bit much for those who like their international epics more refined and genteel.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Only that genteel veneer soon gives way to a more scathing national x-ray, satirizing post-Brexit malaise alongside broader issues of immigration and national identity.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Faulkner's chronicle of the dissolution of a genteel Southern family has already been adapted into two films, as has Hemingway's WWI romance.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
All this might be a bit much for those who like their international epics more refined and genteel.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Only that genteel veneer soon gives way to a more scathing national x-ray, satirizing post-Brexit malaise alongside broader issues of immigration and national identity.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Faulkner's chronicle of the dissolution of a genteel Southern family has already been adapted into two films, as has Hemingway's WWI romance.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 2 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genteel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genteel
Adjective
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Though he was disappointed by the loss, Page didn't demonstrate any further wrestling tactics on Seacrest and ended the show with a polite handshake.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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His boss and co-worker remember him as quiet, polite and professional.—
James Bandler,
ProPublica,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The lighting is sufficient for patrons to take it all in, and the sound level, despite the size of the room, has been successfully brought down to a civilized level.—
John Mariani,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
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Even a hearing on the proposal to arm school staff is equal parts passionate and civilized, as the majority gun-owning constituents don’t all agree that the Second Amendment should extend to the classroom.—
Lauren Wissot,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Angelica Huston stars as Lady Tressilian who hosts her favorite nephew, British tennis star Nevile Strange (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and his new wife Kay (Mimi Keene) and ex-wife Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland) in an aristocratic estate.—
Etan Vlessing,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
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Emigrating is the first thing she’s ever accomplished on her own, without Spencer or her aristocratic privilege to help her (at least, not that much).—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Mallard Lounge epitomizes the après-ski tradition, providing a gracious transition from active days to relaxed evenings.—
Shelby Knick,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Mina, worried about her young kids doing the math about her long, grueling commute, cautiously accepts Alma’s gracious offer.—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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However, a movie can’t be a hit at the international box office without a proper theatrical release internationally.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Why does a team that desires to run the ball well not invest in a proper fullback?—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Since these cultured muscles are small and ideally flat, nutrients and oxygen from the medium can easily reach every cell in the growing culture.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
15 Mar. 2025
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The story of carp cultivation stretches back centuries, beginning with the Romans, who first collected and cultured carp from the waters of the Danube River.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The minister’s rise angered many courtiers, who believed their noble birth entitled them to wealth, influence and the ear of the king.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
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The experience sparked a realization, Brant said: A system set up with the noble goal of saving people could at times inadvertently overlook their humanity.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Despite clear evidence of misconduct, company leaders ignored the behavior, according to the Department of Justice civil settlement agreement.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
19 Mar. 2025
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Thankfully, there’s already a bug report open on Implicit Conversions’ Discord server about this cross-save issue, so by all means, contribute in a suitably civil fashion about it. Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genteel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genteel. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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