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

There were some nods in the direction of a more old-fashioned political civility Wednesday night. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2026

As well as calling you a hypocrite almost a decade ago over your Monica Lewinsky jokes in the late 1990s and your calls for civility, John Oliver in particular has taken you to the woodshed over your criticism of late-night getting too partisan. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 June 2026

Four candidates drawing attention are Harold Cogdell, Carrie Cook, Mike Evans and Robert Harrington, who emphasized affordability, infrastructure and restoring civility to council meetings. — Charlotte Observer, 16 June 2026

This is where civility data should get leadership’s attention. — Carolynn Johnson, Fortune, 16 June 2026