civilian 1 of 2

noun

Definition of civiliannext
as in noncombatant

Related Words

Relevance

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
Far more difficult is reconciling maritime safety rules, US civilian nuclear regulations, and UK standards, . — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 Trump named Adam Telle, a civilian Army Corps of Engineers leader, as acting Army secretary following Dan Driscoll’s departure amid reports of tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilian
  1. noncombatant
  2. civil
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
  • The city then filed a civil suit asking the court to vacate the ruling, arguing that Shurin exceeded his authority in deciding what Biscari’s punishment would be.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2026
  • He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to charges of obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder and entering and remaining in a restricted area.
    — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of civil

Browse Nearby Words

civil disobedience
civilian
civilians
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Civilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilian. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on civilian

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about civilian

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stigma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All