civilize

especially British, civ·i·lise

[siv-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

civilized, civilizing 

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

Other Word Forms

• civilizable adjective
• civilizatory adjective
• civilizer noun
• decivilize verb (used with object)
• noncivilizable adjective
• overcivilize verb
• uncivilizable adjective
• uncivilize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilize¹

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

Example Sentences

He was also notable as a recruiter of aimless youths who wanted to be tough guys; for them the Nazi Storm Trooper units were the place to cast off the shackles of civilized inhibitions.

From Salon

That covers the parts of the civilized world Putin covets — including Alaska.

From Salon

“You want to know what’s happening? Act civilized, act kind, act tolerant, because this is the problem with what’s happening in the region.”

From Los Angeles Times

“In a civilized society, I don’t think the death penalty should ever be an option.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Dogfighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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