as in courteously
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Recent Examples of politely
Shortly before launching his solo career in 1972, Thompson politely declined Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s overtures to join what soon became the Eagles.
—
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
To even the score, Weir’s novel describes ammonia-breathing Rocky as smelling like cat pee, an aside the script politely omits.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
In his seat, Evans smiled politely.
—Paul Fischer, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first tried to give Peter O’Toole a trophy, the then 70-year-old film icon took pen to paper to politely decline.
—Amy Argetsinger, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
The estate via the combative Branca, who is portrayed by Miles Teller in the heavily authorized (to put it very, very politely) Michael, has fought back in the courts against Paris Jackson’s actions.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
What Muller is flagging, politely, almost generously, is that policy unpredictability is now doing more damage than hardship.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2026
To even the score, Weir’s novel describes ammonia-breathing Rocky as smelling like cat pee, an aside the script politely omits.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
In his seat, Evans smiled politely.
—Paul Fischer, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first tried to give Peter O’Toole a trophy, the then 70-year-old film icon took pen to paper to politely decline.
—Amy Argetsinger, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
The estate via the combative Branca, who is portrayed by Miles Teller in the heavily authorized (to put it very, very politely) Michael, has fought back in the courts against Paris Jackson’s actions.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
What Muller is flagging, politely, almost generously, is that policy unpredictability is now doing more damage than hardship.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 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
-
Residents should speak up — clearly, respectfully and urgently.—
Randy Linville,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Mike always conducted himself respectfully and with care for those around him.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Dotter estimates 25 to 45 defendants a year would be civilly committed if the bill passes.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The bill also says that those blocking a road could also be held civilly liable for damages.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
So much so that after the discussion, Cole shyly approached the stranger.—
Suzette Hackney,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Naroditsky removes his blindfold and smiles shyly.—
Jordan Himelfarb,
Time,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Politely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politely. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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