How to Use polite in a Sentence

polite

adjective
  • Please be polite to the guests.
  • It was polite of him to hold the door for them.
  • It isn't polite to interrupt people when they're talking.
  • She received some polite applause despite the mistakes in her performance.
  • More teams should be so polite.
    — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
  • So what's the polite thing to do here?
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Be polite, but don’t be a pushover.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
  • Be polite, but don’t be a pushover.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026
  • What is a polite way to refuse a hug with friends or strangers?
    — Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
  • So, put your thoughts down, be polite, and your voice will be heard.
    — Houston Mitchell Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2021
  • What is a polite way to address this?
    — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
  • And then come up with a polite response.
    — Angela J. Narayan, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
  • Much of the crowd remained polite but silent.
    — Bryan P. Sears, Baltimore Sun, 17 Aug. 2025
  • What would have been the polite way to avoid eating at her house?
    — Judith Martin, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2020
  • That’s polite word-salad for don’t sign it.
    — Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • And this is the polite version.
    — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
  • Niall was upset but very polite.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
  • The meeting may have been polite.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
  • Clear, polite requests should make home life smoother and kinder for all.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
  • So yes, don’t give R&B a polite clap.
    — Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The thing is, most small talk feels like a polite but boring game of ping-pong.
    — Maya Rossignac-Milon erica Boothby, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
  • That’s so kind, so thoughtful, polite.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Is there any polite response to a comment such as this one?
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
  • The bartender slips the cash in his pocket with a polite nod.
    — Andy Nesbitt, For The Win, 20 Dec. 2019
  • Help your child find a way to be polite while still being honest.
    — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026
  • This is very hard for people who were taught to be polite to others.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Lyle came across as the perfect son who was always polite.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Just be polite and point out the issue at checkout.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Is there a polite way to tell her that her perfume is too strong and ask her to tone it down?
    — Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2023
  • The Brits were polite and mostly tame.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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