civilize

as in to cultivate

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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 civilize Their presence was thought to help civilize the environs and increase the likelihood of entire families becoming fans and spending money on the sport. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Mar. 2025 Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives. Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025 As a human being at this moment, Eunice teaches us about being civilized. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 To American expansionists, the conquest of the Philippines was a continuation of the United States’ westward drive and a fulfillment of its civilizing and democratizing mission. Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for civilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilize
Verb
  • As a media personality, Bongino spent years cultivating an impressive following on the right, many of whom remain behind him in this current fight.
    Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • Doctor Donald Trump's Witness Move Fails in Gavin Newsom Case Trump has cultivated a warm relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has visited the White House multiple times.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • During the party’s push to urbanize China in the 2000s, many farmers had to surrender even these meager rights in exchange for an apartment and a welfare check.
    Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
  • And so most countries around the world will need to urbanize to move their populations out of energy poverty, a great transformation that is already taking place at an unprecedented rate.
    Ted Nordhaus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2016

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“Civilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilize. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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