po
lite
ly
1
in a courteous or respectful manner
- She politely declined the invitation, citing a prior commitment.
- The customer politely requested assistance from the store clerk.
- Despite the disagreement, they discussed the issue politely and with mutual respect.
- He greeted his colleagues politely upon entering the meeting room.
- The teacher reminded the students to express their opinions politely during the class discussion.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
2
in a restrained or detached way that is socially appropriate but lacks enthusiasm or sincerity
- She politely smiled at the joke, even though it wasn't funny.
- He politely nodded, showing little interest in the discussion.
- They politely applauded the performance despite its flaws.
- The guests politely tasted the unfamiliar dish without commenting.
- He politely praised the artwork but quickly moved on to another topic.