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as in national
of or relating to a nation the country was not destroyed by outside enemies but by a series of civil wars

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective civil contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of civil are chivalrous, courteous, gallant, and polite. While all these words mean "observant of the forms required by good breeding," civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness.

owed the questioner a civil reply

In what contexts can chivalrous take the place of civil?

In some situations, the words chivalrous and civil are roughly equivalent. However, chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior.

a chivalrous display of duty

When is it sensible to use courteous instead of civil?

The words courteous and civil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness.

clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers

How do gallant and chivalrous relate to one another, in the sense of civil?

Both gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. Gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy.

a gallant suitor of the old school

When can polite be used instead of civil?

The words polite and civil can be used in similar contexts, but polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality.

if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of civil Even if there is no criminal investigation, the NFL has the authority — in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement — to independently investigate allegations in a civil matter and discipline Hill under the league’s personal conduct policy. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 The policy limited civil immigration enforcement in or near courthouses to cases involving national security threats or individuals posing a risk to public safety, among others. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025 That commitment to free speech and civil discourse is more important than ever in today’s social climate, Parlow said. Melanie Marshall, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 The filing notes that the women are not yet ready to file a civil lawsuit because their attorney, former Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, has requested records about the jail conditions under the Missouri Sunshine Law, but Ray County has provided only partial documents so far. Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for civil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil
Adjective
  • Gladstone interviewed over 200 experts for this report, and drilled down on national security issues, acknowledging that AI is likely to be a destabilizer on par with the advent of nuclear weapons.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Neymar, 33, is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer but has not appeared for his national team since October 2023, when he was substituted against Uruguay after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in his left knee.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These polite pleasantries waste precious attention.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Maikol Gabriel López Lizano was two years older than Acosta Peña, warm and polite.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Penalties on penalties on penalties, gracious hosts, UCLA’s 13 flags Friday gifted the Lobos 116 yards – running the season’s tally to 30 penalties for 275 yards.
    Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Goodness gracious, what an adorable little burrito that kid is!
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Civil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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