Thesaurus results for CIVILIZE

civilize

verb

Definition of civilize

as in to cultivate

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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 Classic imperialism sought to bind disparate places together under a vast administrative structure, animated by a civilizing mission. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026 Biking in Copenhagen is civilized—collective pressure ensures hand signals and other forms of etiquette are strictly adhered to. — Tamara Shopsin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2025 These facts, in turn, were wielded as evidence for the need of a civilizing Christian influence. — David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 If Providence gave Americans the right to civilize a continent, why not the world? — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for civilize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilize

Verb

For leaders, cultivating an environment where people actively seek out and fill these gaps is what separates adaptive companies from stagnant ones.

— Stacy L. Hambleton, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
For years, the British American brothers cultivated the image that laws did not apply to them even as legal troubles mounted in the UK, Romania and the US.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cultivate

Verb

Sub-Saharan Africa has both the most rapidly urbanizing population on Earth and the youngest.

— Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026
If appropriate action is not taken, economic growth in urbanizing cities will continue to happen at the cost of the less fortunate.

— Chloe Wong, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026

Definition of urbanize

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civilizations

civilize

civilized

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“Civilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilize. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of civilize

verb

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