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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 If a court affirms that the city retaliated against The Trap, Loy said potential remedies could include civil remedies, such as compensatory or punitive damages. Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025 Regardless of today’s sentencing, the fallen mogul continues to face an uphill legal battle, with dozens of civil suits filed against him since his federal indictment last year. Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025 Ventura’s civil suit, filed in 2023 and settled quickly, laid the foundation for the federal case now nearing its conclusion. Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Between his year in prison, the damage to his reputation, professional harm, and a flood of civil lawsuits, Shapiro argued that Combs has been punished enough for his crimes. Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for civil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civil
Adjective
  • Messi is unlikely to take part due to his call-up to Argentina’s national team, which plays a day earlier vs Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium.
    Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The Tennessean is part of the USA TODAY Network, the largest local-to-national publishing and digital media organization in the country.
    Nashville Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The rather polite 47-year-old Englishman remained transfixed on the massive video board down the hill.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Even polite England is experiencing massive strikes and angry marches.
    Renaud Foucart, Time, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But these aren’t gods in oh-so-gracious robes or with armor or holding lightning bolts in their hands.
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Though McCartney was seemingly gracious in his attendance, comparisons between Oasis and The Beatles have been rife over the years, some of which were even spearheaded by members of Oasis themselves.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Civil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civil. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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