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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It should be noted, though, that those goals came from the second power-play unit courtesy of McLeod and Bowen Byram.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
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There’s more aerodynamic downforce courtesy of wild new body extensions, with louvers on the front wheel arches (presumably to let air escape the wheel well), a larger rear wing, new underbody diffusers, and aerodisc rear wheels.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 May 2026
Noun
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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
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While much of The Devil Wears Prada cast is remembered for delivering iconic lines, many of them are snippy, and well, lacking manners — especially Miranda's dry, dark humor.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 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
-
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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In 2018, timed to the hotel's 25th anniversary, a major $60 million renovation by Didier Lefort, one of Hill’s co-collaborators, brought a fresh, timeless elegance up to the present moment without ever diluting its true attraction—the rainforest.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
-
Nia Long exuded timeless elegance for her Met Gala debut, stepping onto the carpet in her signature natural glam.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 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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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
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As a professor of a notoriously difficult subject, Green said a teaching approach centered on encouragement and attentiveness has been the key to helping her students succeed.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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Honesty, honor, humility, truth, compassion, humanity, thoughtfulness, morality, true strength and decency.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civility. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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