CIVILIAN Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

civilian 1 of 2

noun

Definition of civilian

as in noncombatant

Related Words

Relevance

noncombatant

Dissimilar Words

civilian

2 of 2

adjective

as in civil

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 civilian

Noun

Two government employees and one civilian suffered minor injuries, according to the FBI. — ABC News, 21 July 2026 Two government employees and one civilian, an immigrant who had a hearing that day, were injured, Barnacle said. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 21 July 2026

Adjective

Since the start of the Russian invasion, in February 2022, civilian air travel over Ukraine has been suspended. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026 The civilian watchmen for the ship were taking an unauthorized break during this time and were not at their posts. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilian

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilian

Noun

He wouldn’t be permitted to remain a noncombatant for very long.

— Matthew Campbell, Bloomberg, 22 May 2026
Without going into detail, both treat war as the option of last resort, both try to limit reckless destruction of life and property and both try to minimize injury to noncombatants.

— Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Definition of noncombatant

Adjective

According to a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lindsay's ex-husband Patrick Clancy, the 36-year-old is paralyzed below the sternum.

— Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
According to court records, a mortgage company filed a civil complaint against Paul and Sally Anne Cash in August 2025 to foreclose on the home, court records show.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of civil

Cite this Entry

Style

“Civilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilian. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of civilian

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on civilian

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

devolve

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes