The President did me the courtesy of replying to my letter.
Source: tatoeba (22347)
Courtesy
/ˈkɜːtəsi/
Synonyms for "courtesy" (175 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (35)
Noun(7 words)
act of courtesyact of graceact of kindnessadmirationadorationaffabilityamenityamiabilityapotheosisappreciationapprobationapprovalattentionattentivenessawebenefactionbenefitbenevolencebenignityblessing
Adjective(2 words)
civil orderingcivilized manners
Verb(1 words)
civilize behavior
Strong matches (53)
clubbabilityclubbishnessclubbismcomitycommunicativenesscompanionabilitycompatibilitycomplaisancecongenialityconsideratenessconsiderationcordialitycorrect deportmentcourteousnesscourtlinessdeferencedeificationdiscourtesydispensationduty
Show 19 more words
eleganceesteemestimationetiquetteexaggerated respectfamiliarityfavorfondness for societyformalityfriendlinessgallantrygenialitygood behaviorgood citizenshipgood deedgood mannersgood officesgood turngrace
Noun(12 words)
common phrases in portugueseconcessionconsideration for otherscopycordialitycourteous tonesdecenciesduplicatefavorgesture of thanksgesturesgood manners
Adjective(2 words)
common social virtueformal bow
Related words (87)
graceful gesturegraciousnessgreat respectgregariousnesshero worshiphigh regardhomagehonorhospitalityidolatryidolizationindulgeindulgenceintimacykind deedkind officeskindly actkindnesslabor of lovemercy
Show 29 more words
misbehaviormitzvahobligationofficepolite actpolitenesspolitessepoor behaviorprestigeproprietyrefinementregardrespectrespectfulnessreverencereverential regardsanctioned behaviorservicesociabilitysociablenesssocial gracesocialitysolicitudetactthoughtfulnessturnurbanityvenerationworship
Noun(24 words)
gracefulnessgracesgrantinformational copylearn to behave civillyleniencymannerlinessmore civillymost civil conductmost civillymost respectfullynicetiesnicetynotification copyobsequypardon mepleasantrypolitenesspublic interaction rulesrespect for others
Show 4 more words
Adjective(14 words)
great patienceitalian civile conceptsmutual qualityperformative civilitypolite behaviorpolite conductpolite declinepolite mannerpolite restraintrespectful interactionsocial suitabilitytactful behavioruniversal politenessurbane manners
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: act civilly, act of courtesy, act of grace, act of kindness, admiration.
- Sentence evidence is available for courtesy, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "courtesy".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "courtesy"
Keep "courtesy" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "courtesy" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "courtesy", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "courtesy" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
13 entriesMore specific
8 entriesCollocations
5 entriesacademic courtesybusiness courtesycommon courtesycourtesy copyprofessional courtesy
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
4 entriesAntonyms
1 entriesSample sentences
22 total sentences available.
Can you tell me where the nearest courtesy phone is?
Source: tatoeba (27264)
The English are known for their courtesy.
Source: tatoeba (66568)
In Japan, bowing is common courtesy.
Source: tatoeba (281203)
Showing 4 of 22 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "courtesy"?
Closest matches include act civilly, act of courtesy, act of grace, act of kindness, admiration.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "courtesy"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.