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
Relevance
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
While news outlets attempt to maintain civility in comment sections by various forms of moderation and by articulating policies of acceptable speech, moderating comments itself is a labor-intensive endeavor, and not all news outlets want to or can dedicate the necessary amount of resources to it.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
When civility becomes the standard rather than the exception.
—Denise Horland, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Catholic social teaching likewise calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and to engage in public life with civility and respect.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Laws promote civility, but only if cops effectively enforce them.
—Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civility
Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Apr. 2026
When civility becomes the standard rather than the exception.
—Denise Horland, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Catholic social teaching likewise calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and to engage in public life with civility and respect.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
Laws promote civility, but only if cops effectively enforce them.
—Wendy Murphy, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civility
Noun
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Photograph courtesy Jennifer Hulse Israel seized control of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during the Six-Day War, in 1967.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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For her final day of engagements in the area, Middleton wore a cream pleated Jenny Packham skirt, Blazé Milano pin-stripe blazer and belt, as well as Alicia flats in taupe and black courtesy of designer Camilla Elphick.—
Stefania Saltalamacchia,
Vanity Fair,
15 May 2026
Noun
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As for your wife’s objection, Miss Manners will point out that good manners need not mean being bulldozed by others.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
9 May 2026
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Church’s combination of talent, affability, and fine manners eased his way into New York’s élite, sometimes inspiring envy among his painter friends.—
Sebastian Smee,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
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Yet such gestures failed to meet the scale of the problem.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
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But on the flip side, some studies conclude that CODAs learn from playing interpreter at a young age to communicate better personally and professionally later in life, and may grow up endowed with special talents for conveying and reading facial expressions and gestures.—
Bob Brody,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
Noun
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The goldendoodle’s shoulder tap felt almost human in its politeness, and the woman’s response — smiling, breaking off a piece and blowing on it — felt effortlessly warm.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
When talking to your peers, politeness is of paramount importance.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Its elegance is showcased in movies, books, and art.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
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From May 12 to May 23, the iconic brand joins in celebrating the artistry, elegance and empowerment that define beauty, both on and off the red carpet.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
Noun
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During the reception, Princess Kate shared an emotional moment with Tony Gledhill, a former Metropolitan Police officer who received the George Cross for gallantry in 1966.—
Helen Murphy,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
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In 2020, Magawa received the PDSA Dickin medal for gallantry, which recognizes heroism in animals.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Nolan’s attentiveness to his characters extends beyond the page.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
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The variance with accustomed Goodspeed values is apparent from the very first moments, though the opening gambit fails due to an appalling lack of attentiveness from the audience.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
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But the genes of his mother granted him empathy and a tendency to lead with thoughtfulness.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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Traits women are often taught to value, like thoughtfulness, awareness and generosity, can become a form of power when they’re used deliberately.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civility. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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