GALLANT Synonyms: 344 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'gallant' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous , civil , courteous , and polite . While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy. // a gallant suitor of the old school

Q: Where would 'chivalrous' be a reasonable alternative to 'gallant'?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior. // a chivalrous display of duty

Q: When could 'civil' be used to replace 'gallant'?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness. // owed the questioner a civil reply

Q: When can 'courteous' be used instead of 'gallant'?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness. // clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

Q: When might 'polite' be a better fit than 'gallant'?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality. // if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

gallant 1 of 3

adjective

ˈga-lənt

Definition of gallant

as in valiant

feeling or displaying no fear by temperament a gallant firefighter, rushing into the burning house to save the children a gallant rescue

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in noble

having, characterized by, or arising from a dignified and generous nature a gallant knight the members of that service club are known for their gallant service to the community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in magnificent

large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception a great and gallant sailing ship

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gallant

2 of 3

noun

gə-ˈlant

as in dude

a man extremely interested in his clothing and personal appearance he was quite a gallant, primping more than either of his sisters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

slob
sloven

as in boyfriend

a man who courts a woman usually with the goal of marrying her she had a whole host of gallants vying for her hand in marriage

Synonyms & Similar Words

gallant

3 of 3

verb

as in to romance

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gallant contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gallant are chivalrous, civil, courteous, and polite. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

Where would chivalrous be a reasonable alternative to gallant?

The words chivalrous and gallant can be used in similar contexts, but chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When could civil be used to replace gallant?

While the synonyms civil and gallant are close in meaning, civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

When can courteous be used instead of gallant?

Although the words courteous and gallant have much in common, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

When might polite be a better fit than gallant?

The words polite and gallant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gallant

Adjective

Tilt and the gallant escort was replaced by a boy too traumatized to leave his mother’s side. — Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026 While Son of Hitler takes plenty of creative liberty when the titular character is recruited to assassinate his famous father for the Allies, the fate of the real-life Loret isn’t so gallant. — Rosemary Counter, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026 Christ pulls him out of a tiny hole, like a gallant medieval knight rescuing a maiden in distress. — Mary Dzon, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025 And yet, welcoming that idea can shock the system because our popular conception of the American Revolution is so often encased in bloodless, gallant myth. — Sarah Botstein, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gallant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gallant

Adjective

What would be the worst moment in a mere mortal’s career, Hoecht turned into a valiant scene.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Despite Aldis's valiant comeback, including a superplex and a King's Lynn Cloverleaf that nearly secured the win, Gunther ultimately prevailed.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of valiant

Adjective

The historic home, situated between Via Rodari and Piazza Roma, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries and takes its name from a noble clan that included Pope Innocent XI, head of the Catholic Church in the late 1600s.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 18 Aug. 2026
Next weekend’s slate of new releases looks a lot like this week’s leaderboards — a ton of bright contenders who will engage in a noble, if doomed effort to topple the reigning kings.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of noble

Adjective

Our stay was an attempt to escape the responsibilities and obligations that come with everyday life for a weekend, and this was a magnificent place to do that.

— Felicia Brower, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
But there is something magnificent about seeing a small island elevate and celebrate its own musical vibes.

— Baz Dreisinger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of magnificent

Noun

One of the more memorable instances finds Cole grabbing an open padlock off a door and using it to belt an opponent across the face before hooking the shackle into the dude’s mouth and using it to rip open his cheek.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026
Will Muschamp, defensive coordinator, Texas Is college football ready for this dude to be all the way back in it?

— Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of dude

Noun

The boyfriend of an 18-year-old college soccer player in Washington County, Pennsylvania, is accused of fatally stabbing her, putting her body in the hatch of her vehicle and recruiting his mother for help disposing of the body, authorities said.

— Michael Guise, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
The account from the younger brother of Panettiere’s boyfriend and longtime abuser confirms that Panettiere was potentially the victim of a drug overdose.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of boyfriend

Verb

That’s not to say nothing happens — Cyd (an excellent Jessie Pinnick) romances a nonbinary barista and bonds with her writer aunt — but the events take second fiddle to the 16-year-old’s exhilaratingly ordinary journey of self-discovery.

— Rachel Simon, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Artificial intelligence headliners are romancing universal basic income (UBI).

— Carrie Brandon Elliot, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Definition of romance

Adjective

President Harry Truman’s courageous decision to support the United Nations in defending the South against invasion from the North laid the foundation for today’s remarkably successful Republic of Korea.

— Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
But no revelation is as courageous or groundbreaking as Panettiere’s description of her experience with postpartum depression.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

Rivera-Vega is suspected of setting the fire and also had been charged with arson causing great bodiliy injury before the woman died.

— Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2026
Starting the election calendar in South Carolina is intended in part to give Black voters a greater voice at the outset of the nominating process.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of great

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“Gallant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gallant. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of gallant

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