civilize

[ siv-uh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, civ·i·lized, civ·i·liz·ing.

1. to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine:

   Rome civilized the barbarians.

   Synonyms: sophisticate, polish, instruct, teach, educate

civilize

/ ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization
2. to refine, educate, or enlighten

Derived Forms

• ˈciviˌlizable, adjective
• ˈciviˌlizer, noun

Other Words From

• civi·liza·ble adjective
• civ·i·liz·a·to·ry [siv-, uh, -, lahy, -z, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• civi·lizer noun
• de·civi·lize verb (used with object) decivilized decivilizing
• non·civi·liza·ble adjective
• over·civi·lize verb overcivilized overcivilizing
• un·civi·liza·ble adjective
• un·civi·lize verb (used with object) uncivilized uncivilizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilize¹

1595–1605; < French civiliser; civil, -ize

Example Sentences

He made you city dwellers and civilized you with good laws and customs.

From Realm of History

Sometimes it takes just one civilizing meal to make us feel like ourselves again.

From Quartz

Alexander Stuart, the third interior secretary, once declared that the United States’ mission was to “civilize or exterminate” native people.

From Washington Post

An Army veteran looks at the fall of Mosul and recalls his own time there trying to civilize the land with guns and money.

From The Daily Beast

It means destroying Bedouin villages in the place where Jews civilize the desert.

From The Daily Beast

Consider it part of the mission to civilize, a necessary part of the process to start solving problems again in Washington.

From The Daily Beast

In the old days, colonial occupiers had what the French called “a mission to civilize.”

From The Daily Beast

A person who had resided some time on the coast of Africa, was asked if he thought it possible to civilize the natives?

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing but slavery ever partially civilized him, nothing but slavery continued in some form can civilize him further!

From Project Gutenberg

But our object in the country is to civilize and Christianize the Indian tribes among whom we are located.

From Project Gutenberg

Are they useful men helping to civilize and elevate their less fortunate fellows?

From Project Gutenberg

History furnishes us with abundant and specific evidence of his capacity to civilize and Christianize.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acquaint
• enlighten
• ennoble
• humanize
• idealize
• refine
• sophisticate
• tame