uncivil

play

adjective un·civ·il \ ˌən-ˈsi-vəl \

Definition of uncivil

1 :not civilized :barbarous

2 :lacking in courtesy :ill-mannered, impolite

uncivil remarks

3 :not conducive to civic harmony and welfare

—

uncivilly

play \ˌən-ˈsi-və-lē\ adverb

See uncivil defined for English-language learners

See uncivil defined for kids

Examples of uncivil in a Sentence

the uncivil and wild land that the pioneers tamed and settled
such uncivil behavior will not be tolerated

Recent Examples of uncivil from the Web

These monuments are symbols that tell us less about the actual Civil War but more about the uncivil peace that followed.

— beth py-lieberman, Smithsonian, "Smithsonian’s African American History Museum Releases Statement on Charlottesville and Confederate Memorials," 20 Aug. 2017
The UN said earlier this year that civil wars and uncivil droughts threaten some 20 million people with starvation – especially in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen.

— scott armstrong, The Christian Science Monitor, "Staving off starvation," 30 July 2017
Americans will be flying the flag and celebrating freedom this weekend, but the concepts have become more important as the political landscape has erupted into uncivil, angry rhetoric, political activists say.

— gloria casas, Elgin Courier-News, "Political landscape has people 'looking for more answers'," 30 June 2017
The post on Facebook was removed as the discussion grew increasingly uncivil, Barrios said.

— richard chang, sacbee.com, "In labor dispute with teachers, school district goes directly to parents," 23 June 2017
Both Siegel, who died in 1991, and Ms. Coppola transpose the Civil War into a most uncivil one between a lone man and a group of women.

— carrie rickey, New York Times, "The ‘Beguiled’ Test: Does the Director’s Gender Matter?," 23 June 2017
This does not mean we are required to be vicious or uncivil.

— thomas healy, The Atlantic, "Who's Afraid of Free Speech?," 18 June 2017
The experience of other countries, however, yields a clear lesson: Only civil legislators, willing to follow proper process and able to build broad consensus, are able to repair the long-term damage created by an uncivil president.

— aníbal pérez-liñán, Washington Post, "How would removing Trump from office affect U.S. democracy?," 26 May 2017
About the noise: Loud but not uncivil County health inspection: Six major violations in March, but allowed to continue operating without closure.

— brad a. johnson, Orange County Register, "Review: Can you take the heat at Meizhou Dongpo?," 24 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'uncivil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of uncivil

1553

uncivil Synonyms

Synonyms

barbarian, barbaric, barbarous, heathen, heathenish, natural, Neanderthal (or Neandertal), rude, savage, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild

Antonyms

civilized

Related Words

coarse, crude, primitive, rough; uncouth, uncultured

Near Antonyms

cultured, enlightened, humane, sophisticated; genteel, polished, polite, refined, urbane, well-bred; semicivilized

UNCIVIL Defined for English Language Learners

uncivil

play

adjective

Definition of uncivil for English Language Learners

: rude or impolite

UNCIVIL Defined for Kids

uncivil

play

adjective un·civ·il \ ˌən-ˈsi-vəl \

Definition of uncivil for Students

:impolite

Learn More about uncivil

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for uncivil

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up uncivil? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

uncivil

Definition of uncivil

uncivilly

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of uncivil in a Sentence

Recent Examples of uncivil from the Web

First Known Use of uncivil

uncivil Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

UNCIVIL Defined for English Language Learners

uncivil

Definition of uncivil for English Language Learners

UNCIVIL Defined for Kids

uncivil

Definition of uncivil for Students

Learn More about uncivil

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Trending: Ivanka: "An 'Otherwise' Incredible Day"

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066