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 For one, the Tea Party folks weren't trying to bring about the downfall of Western civilization and the United States of America. — ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026 The same year that the Lincoln Memorial was inaugurated, the tomb of Tutankhamum was discovered in Egypt, fueling a broader fascination with ancient civilizations, monuments and the ways societies preserved memories of powerful figures. — Jennifer Tucker, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026 The Safety Net examines what the advent of the internet means on the timescale of civilizations. — Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026 Babylon 5 followed the diplomats, soldiers, and drifters aboard the station, built as neutral ground between humans and a handful of alien civilizations teetering on the edge of war. — Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilization

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilization

Noun

Treatment is more than a medication Any eligible person shouldn’t hesitate to start taking medication in addition to making lifestyle changes to reduce long-term risks, Al-Jarshawi said.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
The first season focuses on Kauri, a lifestyle nomad who is leaving Finland once again, but on the night of his departure his van breaks down.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of lifestyle

Noun

Ann Skeet, senior director of leadership ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, also questions what allowing these types of bets says about society.

— Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Taiwan is conducting its largest-ever annual military preparedness drills alongside extensive civil defense exercises aimed at mobilizing a whole-of-society response in the event of conflict with China.

— Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of society

Noun

The Fishback file James Fishback, with no relevant accomplishments or experience, is running a disgracefully racist and antisemitic campaign marked by demeaning attacks on Donalds, who is Black.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
But those accomplishments have done little to turn Jeffries into a recognizable national spokesman for the Democratic Party.

— Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power in 2012, many aspects of personal life for members of the Communist Party or the state sector, from divorce to travel and social activities, have come under increasing scrutiny.

— Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Indy was first brought to life at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios theme park in 1989 with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of life

Noun

So when her son, Reed, now 15, was diagnosed with dyslexia 10 years ago, Knopf went down a rabbit hole of literacy education.

— Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
The state discovered that reforms had to be beneficial to all, and so the political mission had to be implementing education and acculturation as a means of solidifying the nascent bourgeoisie.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of education

Noun

That legacy was disrupted in the early 1600s, when the Venetians uprooted much of the island’s vineyard land to make way for wheat cultivation.

— Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
Furthering the business-meets-academia partnership, Cosecha de Galicia—a subsidiary of brewing group Hijos de Riviera that is focused on hop cultivation—will provide access to raw materials.

— Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivation

Noun

There, her stern Granny and poised Aunt Helen (Genevieve O’Reilly) are horrified by her lack of refinement and her indifference about finding a respectable husband.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
As the flagship Android smartwatch competition reaches a fever pitch, subtle hardware refinements and exclusive features will determine which wearable deserves space on your wrist.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 12 Aug. 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 16 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of civilization

noun

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