Polite vs. Respectful — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Polite and Respectful
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Compare with Definitions
Polite
Marked by or showing consideration for others and observance of accepted social usage.
Respectful
Showing or marked by proper respect.
Polite
Refined; elegant
Polite society.
Respectful
Marked or characterized by respect
It is of great importance that you act in a respectful manner towards the duke and duchess.
They used highly respectful language when conversing with the elders.
Polite
Well-mannered, civilized.
It's not polite to use a mobile phone in a restaurant.
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Respectful
Marked or characterized by respect; as, respectful deportment.
With humble joi and with respectful fear.
Polite
(obsolete) Smooth, polished, burnished.
Respectful
Full of or exhibiting respect;
Respectful behavior
A respectful glance
Polite
To polish; to refine; to render polite.
Respectful
Feeling or manifesting veneration
Polite
Smooth; polished.
Rays of light falling on a polite surface.
Polite
Smooth and refined in behavior or manners; well bred; courteous; complaisant; obliging; civil.
He marries, bows at court, and grows polite.
Polite
Characterized by refinement, or a high degree of finish; as, polite literature.
Polite
To polish; to refine; to render polite.
Polite
Showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
Polite
Marked by refinement in taste and manners;
Cultivated speech
Cultured Bostonians
Cultured tastes
A genteel old lady
Polite society
Polite
Not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others;
Even if he didn't like them he should have been civil
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