uncivil

adjective

un·​civ·​il ˌən-ˈsi-vəl How to pronounce uncivil (audio)
Synonyms of uncivilnext
1
: not civilized : barbarous
2
: lacking in courtesy : ill-mannered, impolite
uncivil remarks
3
: not conducive to civic harmony and welfare
uncivilly adverb

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 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.
Indeed, content analyses commonly show that about a fifth of all comments are somewhat uncivil. Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026 History has shown us that giving government moral authority over its people is a route to an uncivil society. Charles F. Miller, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026 Harder still to see the people who have persevered through it all and the culture that preserves signs of civilization, even in deeply uncivil times. Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey. Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncivil

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncivil was in 1553

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Cite this Entry

“Uncivil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncivil. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

uncivil

adjective
un·​civ·​il ˌən-ˈsiv-əl How to pronounce uncivil (audio)
1
: not civilized : barbarous
2
: lacking in courtesy : ill-mannered
uncivil remarks
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