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 Boykin also believes county employees should undergo mandatory civility training. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 This is truly a war against science and civility by cruel people in a ridiculous revenge frenzy. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026 Like learning to shoot a free throw in basketball or playing the violin, civility takes practice. — Frederick J. Ryan, Fortune, 25 July 2026 In a postseason press rollout that opened with an immediate pledge for civility, Kenzie’s comfort and ease with her own conduct comes as welcome relief. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for civility

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civility

Noun

As for accessories, Balfe wore jewelry pieces courtesy of Jessica McCormack.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
The full NewFest38 lineup, including its wide range of narrative features, is below, with language courtesy of the festival.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of courtesy

Noun

The desire to fit in is a powerful instinct, one that is externalized to varying degrees in our manners and relationships.

— E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
For players, the distinction between atmosphere and interference can be more than a matter of manners.

— Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of manners

Noun

Landry, like Mulkey and Jenkins, gives an all-time great performance, eschewing cliché with every line reading and gesture.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026
As political fix-it man, Fox burns some comic octane, his sense of timing and talent for the right gesture put to good use here.

— Miles Beller, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of gesture

Noun

The dynamic between the parents and the perpetrators steadily escalates from politeness to hostility to eventual torture, all while maintaining a frustrating attitude of inevitability and justification toward the former’s fate.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
She’s used to chief stews who yell and is thrown off by Aesha’s politeness.

— Emma Soren, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of politeness

Noun

The rooms Nestled on 20 acres of private woodlands, the eight-room inn carries a timeless elegance, with design features like stone patios, hidden gardens, and exposed 18th-century beams cutting through various rooms.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
Federer, whose single-handed backhand is part of the reason he is viewed as the epitome of tennis elegance, has become an unofficial spokesperson for the shot.

— Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 11 Sep. 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

Sirianni sees Smith’s attentiveness in team meetings, his extra work in the weight room on his own time, and his extra work before and after practices.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Tornare remarked on Koons’ attentiveness and deep involvement, from overall concepts to the smallest design cues.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of attentiveness

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 18 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of civility

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

churlish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes