politely
In refined fashion
Politely describes doing something in a manner that shows good manners, respect, and consideration for others.
If you politely decline an invitation, you turn it down without causing offense.
Someone who asks politely makes a request in a courteous way rather than demanding.
The word often appears in contexts where social norms require restraint—you might smile politely at a boring story or politely disagree when you actually find an idea absurd.
In a deferential way
- graciouslyWith elegant kindness
- consideratelyWith care for others
- tactfullyWith careful discretion
- kindlyWarmly, with goodwill
cordially · pleasantly · genially · affably · amiably · warmly · obligingly · accommodatingly
With careful discretion
- discreetlyIn an unobtrusive way
- carefullyWith deliberate attention
- guardedlyWith protective caution
- cautiouslyIn a guarded manner
delicately · sensitively · judiciously · prudently · circumspectly · strategically · noncommittally · evasively
With tasteful grace
- genteellyIn refined manner
- culturedEducated in arts, manners
- suavelyWith smooth sophistication
- urbanelyWith polished courtesy
sophisticatedly · gallantly · chivalrously · courteously · mannerly · well-bred · tastefully · discreetly
With formal ritual
- properlyIn the correct manner
- correctlyIn accurate manner
- decorouslyWith proper behavior
- stifflyIn inflexible manner
primly · formally · punctiliously · conventionally · appropriately · reservedly · distantly · impersonally
respectfully
In a deferential way
- graciouslyWith elegant kindness
- consideratelyWith care for others
- tactfullyWith careful discretion
kindly · cordially · pleasantly · genially · affably · amiably · warmly · obligingly · accommodatingly · charmingly
tactfully
With careful discretion
- discreetlyIn an unobtrusive way
- carefullyWith deliberate attention
- guardedlyWith protective caution
cautiously · delicately · sensitively · judiciously · prudently · circumspectly · strategically · noncommittally · evasively · neutrally
elegantly
With tasteful grace
urbanely · sophisticatedly · gallantly · chivalrously · courteously · mannerly · well-bred · tastefully · discreetly · delicately
ceremoniously
With formal ritual
- properlyIn the correct manner
- correctlyIn accurate manner
- decorouslyWith proper behavior
stiffly · primly · formally · punctiliously · conventionally · appropriately · reservedly · distantly · impersonally · officially
politelyrudely
Without proper courtesy
impolitely · discourteously · disrespectfully · uncivilly · boorishly
- polite conversationCourteous social discourse
- polite societyRespectable social elite
- polite laughInsincere social chuckle
- polite applauseRestrained, dutiful clapping
- polite fictionsAccepted social untruths
- British politenessIndirect, self-deprecating courtesy
polite, impolite, politeness, politer, politest, impoliteness, impolitely, politenesses