civilized

adjective

civ·​i·​lized ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd How to pronounce civilized (audio)
: characteristic of a state of civilization
civilized society
especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint

Examples of civilized in a Sentence

A civilized society must respond to crime with fairness and justice. Stop yelling. We have to be more civilized about this. Try to act like a civilized human being! a civilized way to spend the evening
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
He was genuinely offended that someone would dare call his civilized kitties feral. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 People, many of whom had never ventured beyond the civilized comforts of the east, found themselves in a wild frontier fraught with dangers unimaginable by today’s standards. Kay Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Walking and using transit is a civilized and humane way to live, good for both personal and community health. Michael O’Hare, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024 Unlike his sister Athena (who was associated with military strategy and other relatively civilized aspects of warfare), Ares represented pure savagery. Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for civilized 

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civilized was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near civilized

Cite this Entry

“Civilized.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilized. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on civilized

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