CIVILIZATION Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

civilization

noun

ˌsi-və-lə-ˈzā-shən

Definition of civilization

as in lifestyle

the way people live at a particular time and place a documentary on the advanced civilization created by the Mayas over a thousand years ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in culture

a high level of taste and enlightenment as a result of extensive intellectual training and exposure to the arts by the 18th century Boston had reached a level of civilization sufficiently advanced to support a circle of portrait painters

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 civilization Modern global civilization has made one contribution to this eternal pantheon. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 The ornamentation, both exterior and interior, is taken from the Late Classic and Earlv Post-Classic periods of the Mayan civilization in Meso-America, according to the national register. — Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 This ship, however, is far older, likely dating to the early Bronze Age, when the Hattian civilization was beginning to form. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2026 This ancient civilization in Yunnan reached its height during the second and first centuries BCE. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilization

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilization

Noun

This idea changed how doctors and scientists study cognitive health by emphasizing earlier detection and lifestyle changes.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Rachel Richter, director of influencer strategy, says MLB works with food, fashion, lifestyle, gaming, and family influencers, too.

— Mia Sato, The Verge, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of lifestyle

Noun

This has bred a culture of entitlement and an insatiable desire for the government to do more, while many demand to work less, if at all.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
The exhibits that Lincoln chose to organize reflected her belief that art is concerned not just with aesthetics but also with history, culture and politics, her husband said.

— Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of culture

Noun

And there’s also the theory that letting people engage in abusive and cruel behavior with an interactive program that can’t shut itself down is bad for society in general, Campbell said.

— Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
On the other hand, proponents might argue that reliably identifying individuals at risk of committing serious crimes could benefit society.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of society

Noun

In her new role, Danielle will help celebrate her aunt's life and accomplishments while offering a personal perspective on the woman behind the music, according to a press release announcing the appointment.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
But even with their growing lists of accomplishments, all three designers acknowledge that running an independent label has its challenges.

— Vogue, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

Believing her daughter’s life was on the line, Del Mastro followed the caller’s instructions for five hours.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Three of those defendants, in agreements, pleaded guilty to capital murder and were sentenced to life without parole.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of life

Noun

Florida’s recent move to empower public Higher Education Institutions, or HEIs, to authorize charter schools is another important step in prioritizing family agency in education over school attendance boundaries.

— Thibaut Delloue, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Sanders, the Vermont socialist and two-time presidential candidate, is likely to chair the Senate panel responsible for overseeing labor, education, and healthcare next year if Democrats reclaim the chamber.

— David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of education

Noun

Mission Garden hosts public events and classes and grows heritage crops on an O’odham site that has been under cultivation for 4,000 years.

— Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
In Uganda and Rwanda, mushroom cultivation provides households with income while easing the pressure on wetland areas that support threatened cranes.

— John Cannon, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of cultivation

Noun

Achieving such multitudes was a practice of refinement over many months, nailing the balance between wood, gourmand, and smokey facets, while still ensuring the final result wasn’t too heavy.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Playfulness keeps the level of refinement from becoming precious.

— David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of refinement

Browse Nearby Words

civility

civilization

civilizations

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Style

“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilization. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of civilization

noun

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