civilized

adjective

civ·​i·​lized ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd 

: characteristic of a state of civilization

civilized society

especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint

Synonyms of civilized

• cultured
• polished
• accomplished

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

Today, the antagonism between the defendants and the system judging them took the shape of civilized disagreement. —Kaya Genç, The Dial, 9 June 2026

No civilized country in the world will do that. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026

Stephens never plays a mustache-twirling sadist, instead carrying himself with the unbearable confidence of a man truly convinced that his version of abuse and even murder is civilized. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026

The world cracked open, and now everyone’s striving to fit the jagged pieces back into a box called civilized society. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing civilized

• civilized world
• hyper-civilized
• ultra-civilized

Rhymes for civilized

• acclimatized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised
• capitalized