1
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
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2
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
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Recent Examples of civility
Kuper suggests that, where English hooliganism represents a grotesque form of nostalgia, postwar Japanese civility is a pose predicated on collective amnesia about wartime atrocities.
—
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
The role of any newspaper, especially one with the long and proud legacy of The Sun, is not to smooth over uncomfortable realities in the name of civility.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
What role should the county judge play in maintaining civility on the commissioners court and in the audience?
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
His sophomore restaurant, Chateau Royale, is another ode to old-school French civility.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civility
Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
The role of any newspaper, especially one with the long and proud legacy of The Sun, is not to smooth over uncomfortable realities in the name of civility.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
What role should the county judge play in maintaining civility on the commissioners court and in the audience?
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
His sophomore restaurant, Chateau Royale, is another ode to old-school French civility.
—Andrea Strong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civility
Noun
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Genuine courtesy strengthens your reputation across all spheres.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The show will still carry in NYC, courtesy of the Writers Guild of America East.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Judith Martin's Miss Manners column has chronicled the continuous rise and fall of American manners since 1978.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
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The manners by which stories of heroes were conveyed in antiquity were not so unlike the comic books, movies and TV shows, games, and high-profile PR events of the Marvel Universe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There are, however, a few charming gestures towards camping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
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Small gestures could inspire major support from your community.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Friendly or the blank politeness of impartiality?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
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His father was William Shawn, editor for 35 years of The New Yorker, known for his own mix of politeness and steel.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Where dahlias and zinnias offer structure and bold blooms, cosmos add airy elegance to any garden or cut flower arrangement.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
5 Mar. 2026
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Its high-neck design and ribbed hem and cuffs combine classic Irish texture and elegance that also keeps you toasty while walking from pub to pub.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Life without that kind of attentiveness?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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This conviction shaped his attentiveness to Jews facing state oppression.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Parents can mention traits like creativity, curiosity, humor, thoughtfulness or bravery and ask which ones feel true to them.—
Reem Raouda,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
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Humility and thoughtfulness are the right lessons to learn from these conflicts.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civility. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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