Synonyms of civility

civility

noun

sə-ˈvi-lə-tē 

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

• courtesy
• gesture
• politeness
• manners
• etiquette
• formality
• attention
• ritual
• rules
• ceremony
• pleasantry
• kindness
• amenity
• decorum
• greetings
• rite
• observance
• respects
• honors
• mores
• grace
• regards
• proprieties
• kindliness
• form
• favor
• addresses
• protocol
• devoirs

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

• manners
• politeness
• elegance
• gallantry
• attentiveness
• thoughtfulness
• courtesy
• gentility
• courteousness
• hospitality
• graciousness
• gracefulness
• respectability
• mannerliness
• respect
• genteelness
• gentlemanliness
• chivalry
• refinement
• courtliness
• decorum
• urbanity
• consideration
• ceremony
• breeding
• cordiality
• deference
• formality
• ceremoniousness
• knighthood
• politesse
• decency
• friendliness
• sociability
• humility
• geniality
• seemliness
• suaveness
• affability
• meekness
• knightliness
• ceremonialness
• chivalrousness
• decorousness
• gentilesse
• modesty
• unctuousness
• propriety
• polish
• shyness
• felicitousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incivility
• rudeness
• discourtesy
• disrespect
• boldness
• impoliteness
• insolence
• surliness
• audacity
• impudence
• brashness
• shamelessness
• vulgarity
• impertinence
• boorishness
• sauciness
• informality
• churlishness
• casualness
• ungraciousness
• delinquency
• indecency
• impropriety
• audaciousness
• presumption
• inappropriateness
• arrogance
• brassiness
• discourteousness
• incorrectness
• thoughtlessness
• loutishness
• clownishness
• conceit
• pretentiousness
• inconsideration
• inconsiderateness
• improperness

Example Sentences

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