uncivil

adjective

un·​civ·​il ˌən-ˈsi-vəl How to pronounce uncivil (audio)
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 The push for civility comes six months into a rancorous and uncivil first session of the 118th Congress. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2023 Guess noted that the percentage of content in Facebook feeds provided by untrustworthy sources (2.6 percent), uncivil posts (3.2 percent), or those containing slurs (0.2 percent) were quite low already—and even lower across Instagram. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 28 July 2023 When uncivil obedience is used, its critics can frame such behavior as unprecedented, dangerous and insincere. Kristina M. Lee, The Conversation, 10 Aug. 2023 In the heat of one of the most political, toxic and uncivil moments in memory in the U.S. Congress, the pair is trying to keep the House of Representatives from slipping deeper into a bad-mannered, boorish body of government. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2023 In this new world, Hoge became something of an outlier, a civilized voice in an uncivil era. Gideon Rose, Foreign Affairs, 21 Sep. 2023 Carey thinks his colleagues will still see an incentive in using coarse and fiery rhetoric, because uncivil words on the House floor can draw media coverage, donations and coveted attention from a party's supporters. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2023 Where the first public statement denounced those participating in the backlash, the subsequent messages opted for an increasingly softer stance, with the last one admitting the establishment values patrons of all viewpoints and will draw the line at uncivil behavior in the restaurant. Gabriel Hays, Fox News, 29 Apr. 2023 Now this series upcoming is going to probably be a lot more uncivil than what the series against the Kraken was. Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 16 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncivil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncivil was in 1553

Dictionary Entries Near uncivil

Cite this Entry

“Uncivil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncivil. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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