CIVILITY Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

civility

noun

sə-ˈvi-lə-tē

Definition of civility

as in courtesy

an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in manners

speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding treated people from all walks of life with the same unfailing civility

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 civility Southworth started focusing more specifically on civility, decency, and politeness after COVID, when many employees were fleeing the hospitality industry—all while the membership at their clubs was doubling. — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026 Feeling emotionally invested in a character’s decisions can also influence how young readers decide how to engage with others and treat people with civility and kindness in real life. — Michelle Kearney, The Conversation, 7 July 2026 The back-and-forth prompted Steiner to send a letter denying Hawley’s claims and chiding him for a lack of civility. — Jack Harvel july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026 The argument that the book makes is that, again, courage and civility -- only courage and civility will save us. — ABC News, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for civility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civility

Noun

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Police Department Police said Brown had gained the mother's trust over about a year.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Photo courtesy of The Artist Tree California dispensary chain The Artist Tree is expanding its Compassion Program to its Dixon location, where qualified medical cannabis patients can receive free products to help offset the cost of their care.

— A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Noun

Beneath Lamb’s unkempt appearance, crude manners, noxious flatulence, and stinging remarks lies one of the sharpest minds in MI5 and a man fiercely protective of his brood of misfits.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026
From being able to host an impeccable event at a moment’s notice to showing graciousness in every circumstance to having an impressively clean and organized home, manners and poise come to mind.

— Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of manners

Noun

However, there are some experts that see the cut in military drills as a positive gesture, suggesting that if the joint exercises are escalating tensions, then reducing them should lessen the chance of a conflict.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
On April 14, 2020, Cline was a complete unknown; by April 16, millions of viewers had spent 10 full hours absorbing the actress’ every gesture and mannerism, a blast of immersive exposure that generates a whole other level of parasocial intimacy.

— Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of gesture

Noun

She’s used to chief stews who yell and is thrown off by Aesha’s politeness.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Southworth started focusing more specifically on civility, decency, and politeness after COVID, when many employees were fleeing the hospitality industry—all while the membership at their clubs was doubling.

— Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

Definition of politeness

Noun

Thymes, the signature restaurant, champions local, seasonal Parian ingredients, evolving Cycladic cuisine with contemporary elegance and a deep connection to nature.

— Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Katharine Hepburn found it as a way to dress with poise and freedom, while Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wore her classic fit with an understated elegance that continues to fascinate.

— Alex Sales, Glamour, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of elegance

Noun

In World Cup lore, however, his gallantry is doomed to be overshadowed by that of his fellow-goalkeeper from Cabo Verde, Vozinha, who had already produced an uncanny impersonation of a brick wall on the fourth day of the tournament.

— Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
In all of these cases, the effect is largely the same—forging intimacy through some level of generosity or gallantry, coupled with pure, physical proximity—and in 2026, all of them are still technically possible.

— Sara Delgado, Vogue, 9 July 2026

Definition of gallantry

Noun

For instance, Sentry works with trucking clients to improve driver ergonomics to enhance attentiveness and focus, which Zernicke says is a high-return-on-investment for fleet operators.

— Sentry Insurance, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Throughout the studies, participants also reported less daytime sleepiness, less frequent muscle weakness, and greater attentiveness.

— Elaine Chen, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of attentiveness

Noun

For 15 seasons, Nneka has led with grace and conviction, competed with an unmistakable spark, and carried herself with a generosity and thoughtfulness that have earned the admiration of everyone across our game.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
Discussions were led by Smith and David Longo, former chair of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, as well as others who could bring expertise and thoughtfulness to the topic of the day.

— Peter St Onge, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of thoughtfulness

Browse Nearby Words

civilities

civility

civilization

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civility. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of civility

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on civility

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

prowess

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes