COURTESY Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

courtesy

noun

ˈkər-tə-sē

Definition of courtesy

as in kindness

an act of kind assistance did me the courtesy of loaning me his jacket

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in gesture

an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners the greeting "How are you?" is often intended as no more than a courtesy

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in attentiveness

speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding a woman who responds to every situation with courtesy and kindness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of courtesy Photo courtesy of Butts County Sheriff's Office Long used the seizure to urge Georgia lawmakers to carefully consider the experiences of states that have legalized marijuana. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 The cinematography comes courtesy of Lithuanian camera wiz Vytautas Katkus. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026 That’s why Montessori education puts special emphasis on developing grace and courtesy. — Jose Bolaños, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Plenty more high-end perks are also available courtesy of a substantial $11,637-per-month HOA fee. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for courtesy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for courtesy

Noun

If someone consistently behaves with kindness, generosity, and consideration, even when these behaviors require effort or self-restraint, their motives may be less important than their actions.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The singer was so well known for helping out that fake stories are hard to refute, because even extraordinary acts of kindness sound like something Parton would do.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of kindness

Noun

The moment taps a broader wartime tradition in Ukraine, where heroic dogs, cats and rescuers become national emblems — and American gestures of solidarity carry growing political weight.

— Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
In a gesture of peace, al Sharaa enshrined key rights for Kurds via presidential decree, such as protection of the Kurdish language and recognition of Kurdish holidays.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of gesture

Noun

The opening up to the friendship with Renata, the attentiveness with Luis, and not being set on killing Negan are monumental changes for her.

— Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
Thanks to the controller’s attentiveness, a possible mid-air collision may have been prevented, especially if the pilots operating the individual planes thought the controller was giving them the same flight instructions.

— Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of attentiveness

Noun

Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
YouTube‘s Pedro Pina has doubled down on the case against giving prominence to British broadcasters on digital services.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of service

Noun

Even as the identity of the South evolves, and more young people lose certain traits that are identifiably southern, manners remain one of the region’s most distinctive and steadfast qualities.

— Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026
Beneath Lamb’s unkempt appearance, crude manners, noxious flatulence, and stinging remarks lies one of the sharpest minds in MI5 and a man fiercely protective of his brood of misfits.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of manners

Noun

His life has been intertwined with money, business, politics and privilege — for better or worse.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Despite this, and no matter their individual circumstances or histories, the former in-group felt that they were expected to express shame over their privilege.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of privilege

Noun

And now [the rest] has to be curated in a way with some thoughtfulness and planning.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
The unusual ceremony quickly drew reactions online, with many commenters praising the crew on their thoughtfulness and congratulating the newlyweds on their happy occasion.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of thoughtfulness

Browse Nearby Words

courtesies

courtesy

courting

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“Courtesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courtesy. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of courtesy

noun

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