What is the opposite of “curteous”?

What is the antonym of “curteous”?

The antonyms of courteous are rude, impolite, and discourteous. These words describe a lack of politeness or consideration for others.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

rude

Lacking manners or consideration for others; impolite or disrespectful.

Example

He was rude to the waiter and didn't even say thank you.

impolite

Not showing good manners or respect for others; discourteous.

Example

It's impolite to interrupt someone when they're speaking.

discourteous

Lacking politeness or good manners; rude or disrespectful.

Example

It's discourteous to ignore someone when they're talking to you.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Rude implies a lack of manners or consideration for others, often in a blunt or offensive way.
• 2. Impolite suggests a lack of good manners or respect for social conventions.
• 3. Discourteous describes a lack of politeness or consideration for others, often in a way that is disrespectful or rude.

Good things to know

• 1. Social Interactions: Use these antonyms to describe behavior in social situations.
• 2. Customer Service: Incorporate these antonyms in customer service training to teach employees how to be courteous.
• 3. Writing: Use these antonyms in writing to create characters with distinct personalities.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of courteous are rude, impolite, and discourteous. These words describe a lack of politeness or consideration for others. Use these words to describe behavior in social situations, teach employees how to be courteous, and create characters with distinct personalities in writing.