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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 civilizations
Dagomar Degroot, an environmental historian, focuses on how civilizations have adapted to past ice ages.
—
ABC News, 16 June 2026
This language evoked the conflict as a struggle between good and evil and, for some, even a clash of civilizations.
—Steve S. Medeiros, The Conversation, 15 June 2026
Just as astronomers use telescopes to examine celestial objects light-years away, novelists can invoke imagined civilizations to reveal truths closer to home, in part by forcing their characters into contact with alien environments and worldviews.
—Alexandra Oliva, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Both fairs will take place October 14–18 in Regent’s Park, with Frieze London centering contemporary art and Frieze Masters focusing on that made in the twentieth century and earlier, including the work of ancient civilizations.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 June 2026
Historians believe ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia were cultivating dates as early as 6,000 to 8,000 years ago.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
Von Mierers intrigued Richards with conversations about Eastern religion and ancient civilizations, and the pair remained connected in the years to follow.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
But neither should alien civilizations, which are generally treated more as a sci-fi musing than an urgent existential issue.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 June 2026
China has argued, based on that find, that the lower Yangtze region was home to one of the earliest urban civilizations on Earth.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 1 June 2026
ABC News, 16 June 2026
This language evoked the conflict as a struggle between good and evil and, for some, even a clash of civilizations.
—Steve S. Medeiros, The Conversation, 15 June 2026
Just as astronomers use telescopes to examine celestial objects light-years away, novelists can invoke imagined civilizations to reveal truths closer to home, in part by forcing their characters into contact with alien environments and worldviews.
—Alexandra Oliva, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
Both fairs will take place October 14–18 in Regent’s Park, with Frieze London centering contemporary art and Frieze Masters focusing on that made in the twentieth century and earlier, including the work of ancient civilizations.
—News Desk, Artforum, 11 June 2026
Historians believe ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia were cultivating dates as early as 6,000 to 8,000 years ago.
—Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026
Von Mierers intrigued Richards with conversations about Eastern religion and ancient civilizations, and the pair remained connected in the years to follow.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
But neither should alien civilizations, which are generally treated more as a sci-fi musing than an urgent existential issue.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 June 2026
China has argued, based on that find, that the lower Yangtze region was home to one of the earliest urban civilizations on Earth.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilizations
Noun
-
The design references both cultures with steely grays and blues for Chicago’s architecture and lake, and noble flowers such as plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, which show up in the form of art walls and custom cabinetry, as well as decorative accents in the bi-level spa.—
Amy Tara Koch,
Robb Report,
11 Dec. 2025
-
And unlike other fine spirits in this price range, for the cultures that produce them, agave spirits aren’t meant to be collected.—
Von Diaz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Coupled with inflation still around 3%, above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, most Americans likely won’t see a step up in their lifestyles, experts said.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Using data from three ongoing research programs, researchers followed over 200,000 health professionals for up to 36 years, regularly collecting detailed information about their diets and lifestyles.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
One of the societies most affected was the Minoan civilization, based on Crete.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
-
As societies formed, rules were developed to govern not only direct human behavior, but also over how people use their property in ways that affect others.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civilizations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilizations. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
