civilized 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd How to pronounce civilized (audio)
Definition of civilizednext
as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living a civilized older couple who are celebrated for holding dinner parties that are attended by the city's best and brightest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

civilized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of civilize
as in cultivated

Related Words

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 civilized
Adjective
Teddy Roosevelt exhorted a nation of effeminate, civilized men to sally forth into the wild and reclaim their natural vitality. — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026 In Season 3, the team enters Dinopia, a civilized dinosaur world, to face threats endangering both worlds through friendship, courage, and teamwork. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 24 June 2026 The chaos in Ithaca may be political and ethical—a violation of custom—but stretches of the poem are barbarous and wild, beyond civilized life altogether. — David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026 Today, however, after decades of angry seatbelt alarms and parking sensor shrieks, a polite musical chime almost seems civilized. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilized
  1. cultured
  2. cultivated
  3. polished
  4. accomplished
Adjective
  • To determine whether there's a bacterial infection, that urine must be cultured.
    — Meghan Rabbitt, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Crème fraîche is a slightly tangy cultured cream with around 30% fat.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of cultured
Verb
  • Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemums are carefully cultivated and tended through summer to produce the tight, abundant domes of little flowers gardeners prize in autumn.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Meaning that the blue weber agave used in its production was cultivated from farms that actively restore soil health and improve local ecosystems rather than just sustaining them.
    — Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of cultivated
Adjective
  • The residence offers a polished take on classic East Sac living, scaled perfectly to a two‑bedroom home that lives much larger than its square footage suggests.
    — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Outputs arrive instantly, in polished language and with remarkable confidence.
    — Ted Ladd, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of polished
Adjective
  • Joseph Byrum is an accomplished executive leader, innovator and cross-domain strategist with a track record across multiple industries.
    — Joseph Byrum, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • An accomplished athlete of English, Irish, and Chinese heritage, Crockett previously worked at Sotheby’s in both London and Hong Kong and ran his own art advisory firm before helping launch Phillips’ regional headquarters in Hong Kong in 2016.
    — Hok-hang Cheung, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of accomplished

Browse Nearby Words

civilize
civilized
civilizes
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Civilized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilized. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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