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 The story of bird migration, as narrated in Western civilization, often begins with Aristotle, who wrote that, in the winter, redstarts turn into robins and garden warblers turn into blackcaps. — Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Lessons on Christianity will cover the life and teachings of Jesus, the spread of the religion and its influence on Western civilization and American history. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026 Among the most notable is the Acropolis in Athens with its iconic ruins of ancient civilization preserved as columned edifices, stone statues, and temple mounts. — Jennifer Tzeses, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Sep. 2026 Risk Factors There is no guarantee that the company’s products will not precipitate the collapse of civilization. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilization

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilization

Noun

In many cases, remote and hybrid professionals care less about proximity to corporate cities than about lifestyle.

— Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The overlap across drugstore, dermatologist-favorite and lifestyle brands is the clearest signal of where body care is headed.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of lifestyle

Noun

Ambivalence is a story of solitude, patience, and faith—qualities that contemporary culture seems to militate against.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker are building on Paul Walker’s legacy of philanthropy via this celebration of car culture.

— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of culture

Noun

Socialists are counting on the promise of a society where all needs are met by a benevolent government to convert voters to their ranks.

— Nolan Finley The Detroit News, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
The beauty of our Constitution is that regulatory tools are available to help cure problems in our society, not to change our economic system but to move toward a contented citizenry.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of society

Noun

There will be recruiting battles and NIL headaches and portal defections and angry message boards and all the other insanity that comes with coaching at a place where fans consider 9-3 an average record rather than an accomplishment.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
Maine West officials sought a way to celebrate Dugalic’s accomplishments in person after she was drafted, according to Brett Clark, a District 207 spokesperson.

— Russell Lissau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of accomplishment

Noun

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time to honor the lives lost to suicide, to stand with the families and communities suicide has touched, and to renew our commitment to prevention.

— Courtney Marx, Sun Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2026
This program was a life-changer for families and kids who wouldn’t otherwise have been able to afford private school tuition.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of life

Noun

Among the grants that were eliminated, frozen or delayed were ones related to maternal health in Michigan, education research in Mississippi and assistance to minority farmers in Iowa, the researchers found.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
For a woman who stopped her formal education after two years of high school, this was extraordinary.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of education

Noun

While previous expressions in this series have explored a single variable at a time–first agave cultivation methods, then terroir–this release takes a broader view of the entire craft.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 15 Sep. 2026
The facility uses artificial lighting, intelligent cultivation systems and low-carbon energy to maintain the crops.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of cultivation

Browse Nearby Words

civility

civilization

civilizations

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilization. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of civilization

noun

Example Sentences

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