as in courteously
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Recent Examples of politely
The results are often, to put it politely, anywhere from underwhelming to plagiaristic.
—
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
Other kindly ushers, who had directed people to an adjacent section after Section 535 filled up, politely asked everyone to please put their shirts back on before returning to the general stadium population.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
An 83-year-old woman was slashed in the neck on her way to church after politely greeting a homeless man, who attacked her without warning outside her Brooklyn home, the victim told the Daily News on Monday.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 2 June 2026
Patchett even politely requests that this piece mention the Substack of Ron Charles, the new venture from the former Washington Post book critic, who was cut loose along with the entire book section team earlier this year.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Jacobson offered McIntosh a $40 reward, but McIntosh politely declined.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
If the person politely requests one, that’s OK.
—Attia Qureshi, Time, 1 June 2026
Educators like Klein and Dunn see their classes playing a fundamental role in helping the next generation learn how to effectively — and politely — communicate disagreements.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026
If the ledger shows errors, politely bring them to your association’s attention and try to work with them to resolve the dispute.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 June 2026
Other kindly ushers, who had directed people to an adjacent section after Section 535 filled up, politely asked everyone to please put their shirts back on before returning to the general stadium population.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
An 83-year-old woman was slashed in the neck on her way to church after politely greeting a homeless man, who attacked her without warning outside her Brooklyn home, the victim told the Daily News on Monday.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 2 June 2026
Patchett even politely requests that this piece mention the Substack of Ron Charles, the new venture from the former Washington Post book critic, who was cut loose along with the entire book section team earlier this year.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Jacobson offered McIntosh a $40 reward, but McIntosh politely declined.
—Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026
If the person politely requests one, that’s OK.
—Attia Qureshi, Time, 1 June 2026
Educators like Klein and Dunn see their classes playing a fundamental role in helping the next generation learn how to effectively — and politely — communicate disagreements.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026
If the ledger shows errors, politely bring them to your association’s attention and try to work with them to resolve the dispute.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politely
Adverb
-
When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation.—
Walter Fields,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Our focus now is on ensuring that class members are informed of their rights and that the next steps in the claims process are handled carefully and respectfully.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
However, respectfully, your email unintentionally demonstrates exactly what is wrong with the Democratic Party right now.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
In April, Murekezi was ordered civilly committed as mentally ill.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
8 June 2026
-
The difference was that in Simpson’s case, his whole home had been searched by the feds—and with the help of the private company that would later sue him civilly.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
22 May 2026
Adverb
-
And Carey, just very shyly, was like, ‘Yep, that’s my kitchen.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
20 Apr. 2026
-
So much so that after the discussion, Cole shyly approached the stranger.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Politely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politely. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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