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 Trump meanwhile promised to destroy Iran’s very civilization during the war among a variety of other threats. — Nasser Karimi, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Depicting the rise and spectacular fall of an Anglo- and Euro-centric civilization, the series was originally presented as an allegorical warning about imperial expansion to the then-young nation. — Cat Dawson, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2026 Within the extraordinary images, Chalamet is shadowed by geometric forms, moving through a landscape seemingly suspended between ancient civilization and science fiction. — Lara Johnson-Wheeler, Vogue, 3 July 2026 American civilization isn’t rebuilt through war in Costner’s film. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilization

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilization

Noun

These standout ballads touted a rugged lifestyle with elements of organized crime, which aided his primo’s ascent to the mainstream.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
There were plenty of accessories too, from skateboards and surfboards to caps, sunglasses and, of course, luggage, which reinforced the lifestyle narrative as much as the garments themselves.

— Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of lifestyle

Noun

The Nimitz, a pop culture icon, never received full F-35 modifications despite hosting the first F-35C carrier landing.

— Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Given Central City’s post-pandemic troubles, amid a boom in dance music across culture more broadly, Origin’s founders hope the scene can do it again.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Definition of culture

Noun

What begins as a history play transforms into a sharp-eyed satire about the cost of assimilation in a society where money, power and white privilege remain stubbornly intertwined.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
This transition caused society to contend with both the benefits and dangers of our new technology.

— Will Marshall, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of society

Noun

Graham steered 'Big, Beautiful Bill' and ICE funding Before his July 11 death, Graham helped push two major GOP policy accomplishments across the finish line.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 July 2026
Still, Donovan said that the accomplishment of passing bipartisan housing affordability legislation with an overwhelming majority shouldn’t be downplayed.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

This study focuses on people who played soccer at the highest levels, but a lot of people play for at least some period of their lives.

— Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
This British drama series follows a woman named Emma over the course of more than six decades of her life, from the 1900s through the 1970s, working her way from impoverished maid to the world’s richest woman.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026

Definition of life

Noun

The Halftime Show will support the FIFA Global Citizen Fund, set to raise $100 million to expand access to education and football for youth worldwide.

— Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
Shaun Harper, a USC education professor, warned that restoring the tests would hand the White House a fresh weapon to portray UC as illegally practicing affirmative action.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of education

Noun

But the dramatic cut in drug production was also due in part to farmers being given alternative crops to the cultivation of opium poppies, De Croo said, noting that funding for such programs had been severely curtailed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
The report itself spans 36 plant fibers, excluding cotton, and examines cultivation, extraction and processing activities across applications including textiles and fashion, automotive, construction and pulp and paper.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 July 2026

Definition of cultivation

Browse Nearby Words

civility

civilization

civilizations

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilization. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of civilization

noun

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