1
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
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2
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
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Recent Examples of civilization
The ability to socialize is a critical skill to living in groups (seemingly more critical than the toilet is) and a basic pre-requisite of civilization.
—
Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
The film is an existential quest that explores how humans seek meaning and self-connection on the fringes of civilization.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Ever since it was first spotted hurtling through the solar system, Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb has maintained that there’s a chance mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is a technological object sent by an extraterrestrial civilization.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 7 Jan. 2026
Just last week, a professor who taught at Harvard for 40 years slammed the school for its ideological homogeneity after finishing his last semester, saying that graduate programs were denying White male applicants on racial grounds and that Western civilization courses were being eradicated.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Literary Hub, 7 Jan. 2026
The film is an existential quest that explores how humans seek meaning and self-connection on the fringes of civilization.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
Ever since it was first spotted hurtling through the solar system, Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb has maintained that there’s a chance mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is a technological object sent by an extraterrestrial civilization.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 7 Jan. 2026
Just last week, a professor who taught at Harvard for 40 years slammed the school for its ideological homogeneity after finishing his last semester, saying that graduate programs were denying White male applicants on racial grounds and that Western civilization courses were being eradicated.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilization
Noun
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In addition to these lifestyle changes, your healthcare provider may also prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Lady Caterham couldn’t keep Chimneys going without money, and Jimmy couldn’t maintain his lifestyle or entertain a run for Parliament without money.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Evero and Cooley have seen Scott enhance the on-field culture in Carolina.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Since 1896, the event celebrating Western culture, cowboys and agriculture has brought millions of people to Fort Worth from around the world.—
Brayden Garcia
January 8,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Thinking globally and acting locally means electing people of vision, not people who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag without a lobbyist lighting their way under the table, or down the wrong path where for-profit companies rule and teachers are scapegoated for society's failures.—
SHELLEY SMITH SPECIAL TO THE DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
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In a society full of cookie cutter McMansions, scrolling through customizable tiny houses on Amazon is one of my favorite forms of escapism.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That’s an impressive accomplishment considering the Bearcats’ storied history with 12 state championships and a long list of productive players.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Glaser said before detailing a number of the star's career accomplishments.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The woman running the daycare had attempted life-saving measures on the child before emergency services arrived, First Alert 4 reported.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Those on the right, determined to make the case that this was an officer killing in self-defense, should instead be beginning with this utter failure to protect the life of a civilian protester and de-escalate the situation through some means other than shooting a fellow American in the head.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Julia Mejia arguably received the most favorable committee chairmanship of Worrell’s supporters, with education.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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Summit speakers explored the current landscape of business and industry across health care, child care, education, manufacturing and development sectors, by discussing trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s economy.—
Marianne Love,
Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Most of the complexes also include unusual amenities like on-site child care, smoking cessation classes, areas for on-site food cultivation, English classes, advice for job searches and help securing a high school diploma.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
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There is a meaningful difference between the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness and the cultivation of mental health.—
Scott LoMurray,
Time,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Long Names for Girls Often drawing from Italian, Latin, Greek, and more, these romantic-sounding long names evoke feelings of refinement and poise.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
13 Jan. 2026
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The judging panel, which this year included actor Emma Watson, commended the property for capturing the spirit of Beijing through its blends of traditional Hutong architecture and modern refinement.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilization. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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