From Deferential to Scurrilous — A Graded Thesaurus of Politeness and Incivility
DEFERENTIAL [ˌdefəˈrenʃl] 🟢▶▶▶
Showing humility and respect for another’s opinion or status.
A polite submission to the judgment or wishes of another.
REVERENT [ˈrevərənt] 🟢▶▶
Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
A profound, often ceremonial, politeness.
COURTEOUS [ˈkɜːrtiəs] 🟢▶
Polite, respectful, or considerate in manner.
Marked by polished grace and considerate behavior.
CIVIL [ˈsɪvl] 🟢
Courteous and polite; minimally respectful.
The basic, formal expectation of polite society.
RESPECTFUL [rɪˈspektfl] 🟢
Feeling or showing deference and respect.
Politeness that acknowledges the value or status of another.
POLITE [pəˈlaɪt] 🟢
The standard term for having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people.
The neutral, all-purpose word for good manners.
WELL-MANNERED [ˌwel ˈmænərd] 🟢
Having or showing good manners; polite.
Politeness that is ingrained and habitual.
CONSIDERATE [kənˈsɪdərət] 🟢
Careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others.
Politeness shown through thoughtful regard for others’ feelings.
TACTFUL [ˈtæktfl] 🟢
Having or showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
Politeness that avoids giving offense.
PROPER [ˈprɑːpər] 🟢
Truly what something is said to be; suitable or appropriate.
Behaving in a way that conforms to social conventions.
CORRECT [kəˈrekt] 🟢
Conforming to accepted social standards; proper.
Adherence to rules of etiquette.
GRACIOUS [ˈɡreɪʃəs] 🟢
Courteous, kind, and pleasant, especially towards someone of lower status.
Politeness marked by elegance and mercy.
DIPLOMATIC [ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk] 🟢
Using skill and tact in dealing with others to avoid causing offense.
A strategic, careful politeness.
NEUTRAL [ˈnuːtrəl] 🔵
Not supporting or helping either side; having no strong feeling.
Communication that is neither polite nor rude.
BLUNT [blʌnt] 🔵
Uncompromisingly straightforward and honest, often to the point of rudeness.
Directness that disregards social niceties.
IMPOLITE [ˌɪmpəˈlaɪt] 🟣
Not having or showing good manners; rude.
The direct opposite of polite.
DISCOURTEOUS [dɪsˈkɜːrtiəs] 🟣
Showing rudeness and a lack of consideration for other people.
A lack of courtesy.
INCONSIDERATE [ˌɪnkənˈsɪdərət] 🟣
Thoughtlessly causing hurt or inconvenience to others.
Rude through a lack of regard for others’ feelings.
RUDE [ruːd] 🟣
The standard term for offensively impolite or ill-mannered.
The direct, neutral antonym of “polite.”
ILL-MANNERED [ˌɪl ˈmænərd] 🟣
Having bad manners; not polite.
A general lack of good breeding or social grace.
UNCIVIL [ʌnˈsɪvl] 🟣
Discourteous; impolite.
A failure to meet the basic standards of civil behavior.
CRASS [kræs] 🟣▶
Lacking sensitivity, refinement, or intelligence; grossly vulgar.
Rude in a stupid, insensitive way.
BOORISH [ˈbʊrɪʃ] 🟣▶
Rough and bad-mannered; coarse.
Rude behavior that is unrefined and insensitive.
INSOLENT [ˈɪnsələnt] 🟣▶
Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
Rude in a boldly disrespectful way.
INSULTING [ɪnˈsʌltɪŋ] 🟣▶▶
Disrespectful or scornfully abusive.
Rude with the intention of causing offense.
CONTEMPTUOUS [kənˈtemptʃuəs] 🟣▶▶
Showing contempt; scornful; expressing extreme disrespect.
Rude behavior that comes from a feeling of superiority.
ABUSIVE [əˈbjuːsɪv] 🟣▶▶▶
Extremely offensive and insulting; involving violence or cruelty.
Rudeness that is harmful and damaging.
SCURRILOUS [ˈskɜːrələs] 🟣▶▶▶
Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation.
Grossly and maliciously rude.
