as in cultures
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
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Recent Examples of civilizations
Ancient Egyptians cultivated white lupin (Lupinus albus), while pre-Incan civilizations developed different species (Lupinus mutabilis) in the region now called Peru.
—
Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
Macau, China At the crossroads of a number of different civilizations, Macau is today a small enclave of China with—like nearby Hong Kong—a unique status as a special administrative region.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Instead, vast structures would be deployed around a host star, allowing these hypothetical civilizations to expand far into the cosmos.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
High school students are likely to learn about the Inca, Maya and Aztec civilizations as representatives of pre-Columbian Latin America.
—Ana L. Ros, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The ironore deposits of the western Mediterranean became key to the prosperity of those civilizations in the east.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The museum does a great job telling the story of the many civilizations that lived here through the centuries.
—Michele Kelemen, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
Cast adrift from mainland Italy, the Mediterranean's largest island has been caught in the crosshairs of civilizations for centuries.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The Discovery Channel series purports to investigate the mysteries and phenomena connected to the ranch, including ancient, lost civilizations and UFO activity.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026
Macau, China At the crossroads of a number of different civilizations, Macau is today a small enclave of China with—like nearby Hong Kong—a unique status as a special administrative region.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
Instead, vast structures would be deployed around a host star, allowing these hypothetical civilizations to expand far into the cosmos.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
High school students are likely to learn about the Inca, Maya and Aztec civilizations as representatives of pre-Columbian Latin America.
—Ana L. Ros, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
The ironore deposits of the western Mediterranean became key to the prosperity of those civilizations in the east.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The museum does a great job telling the story of the many civilizations that lived here through the centuries.
—Michele Kelemen, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026
Cast adrift from mainland Italy, the Mediterranean's largest island has been caught in the crosshairs of civilizations for centuries.
—Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
The Discovery Channel series purports to investigate the mysteries and phenomena connected to the ranch, including ancient, lost civilizations and UFO activity.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilizations
Noun
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Standing under a starry sky, gazing up at the wonder of the cosmos, is a foundational human experience and one that has shaped our storytelling and cultures for millennia.—
Megan Eaves,
Outside,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The collision of these cultures is not new.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The colorful artworks largely depict the sensual hedonistic lifestyles of city dwellers including merchants, courtesans and kabuki actors.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Some people live unhealthy lifestyles and get pregnant on the first try.—
Rachel Hosie,
SELF,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Newman’s work has been welcomed by reformers and those who have been arguing, for years, in favor of British reparations to societies that have borne the legacy of its slaving activities.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But the key is that wise societies weigh costs against benefits.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civilizations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilizations. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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