GALLANT Synonyms: 344 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'gallant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous , civil , courteous , and polite . While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy. // a gallant suitor of the old school

Q: Where would 'chivalrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'gallant'?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior. // a chivalrous display of duty

Q: When could 'civil' be used to replace 'gallant'?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness. // owed the questioner a civil reply

Q: When can 'courteous' be used instead of 'gallant'?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness. // clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

Q: When might 'polite' be a better fit than 'gallant'?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality. // if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

gallant 1 of 3

adjective

ˈga-lənt

Definition of gallant

as in valiant

feeling or displaying no fear by temperament a gallant firefighter, rushing into the burning house to save the children a gallant rescue

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature a gallant knight the members of that service club are known for their gallant service to the community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception a great and gallant sailing ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gallant

2 of 3

noun

gə-ˈlant

as in dude

a man extremely interested in his clothing and personal appearance he was quite a gallant, primping more than either of his sisters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slob
sloven

as in boyfriend

a man who courts a woman usually with the goal of marrying her she had a whole host of gallants vying for her hand in marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

gallant

3 of 3

verb

as in to romance

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gallant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and polite. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

Where would chivalrous be a reasonable alternative to gallant?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When could civil be used to replace gallant?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When can courteous be used instead of gallant?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

When might polite be a better fit than gallant?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

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 gallant

Adjective

Tilt and the gallant escort was replaced by a boy too traumatized to leave his mother’s side. — Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026 While Son of Hitler takes plenty of creative liberty when the titular character is recruited to assassinate his famous father for the Allies, the fate of the real-life Loret isn’t so gallant. — Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026 Christ pulls him out of a tiny hole, like a gallant medieval knight rescuing a maiden in distress. — Mary Dzon, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025 And yet, welcoming that idea can shock the system because our popular conception of the American Revolution is so often encased in bloodless, gallant myth. — Sarah Botstein, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gallant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gallant

Adjective

On the 35th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Day, Field of Vision is launching a new documentary on Ukraine’s valiant fight to maintain its freedom.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026
What would be the worst moment in a mere mortal’s career, Hoecht turned into a valiant scene.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of valiant

Adjective

At least that bad-optics outburst, while insubordinate, had something noble at its basis.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Villa Celimontana dates to the 16th century, when it was developed as a noble residence on Caelian Hill, one of the seven hills of ancient Rome.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Shouts of awe echoed behind as the final shred of the solar disk created a magnificent Diamond ring flare effect on the trailing edge of the lunar disk.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Aug. 2026
But the offense was magnificent with him as the signal-caller, and his game-winning, as-the-buzzer-sounded 5-yard touchdown run in prime time pretty much cemented his spot on an active roster somewhere.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Noun

The underlying and often reiterated vibe is that this dude respects women and works out.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
One of the more memorable instances finds Cole grabbing an open padlock off a door and using it to belt an opponent across the face before hooking the shackle into the dude’s mouth and using it to rip open his cheek.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of dude

Noun

She was accompanied by her younger son, Kash, 14, and current boyfriend Kyle Mowitz, who is in asset management.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
The editors then serve up a tasty treat of a bunch of photos with Emily smack dab in the center, and cycle through them more quickly than Jenn’s boyfriend Ryan cycles through loud denim jackets.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of boyfriend

Verb

That’s not to say nothing happens — Cyd (an excellent Jessie Pinnick) romances a nonbinary barista and bonds with her writer aunt — but the events take second fiddle to the 16-year-old’s exhilaratingly ordinary journey of self-discovery.

— Rachel Simon, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Artificial intelligence headliners are romancing universal basic income (UBI).

— Carrie Brandon Elliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Definition of romance

Adjective

However, rather than the courageous grand duchesses who fought for the freedom of their people far away, the author was fascinated by the suffragette movement of the 1910s.

— Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
Those early songs and some of that stuff was so courageous, so good.

— Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

But there may be little anyone–government or corporate–can do to persuade people to have children amid greater economic uncertainty.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
From travel dresses to a lightweight sweater, here are 14 items from Quince’s Workwear Edit that would look great on you on your next flight, starting at $20.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of great

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

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Synonyms of gallant

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noun

verb

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