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View synonyms for civilize

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.



civilize

/ ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz /

verb

  1. to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization

  2. to refine, educate, or enlighten

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

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

Origin of civilize1

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s meant to be more like tennis—civilized, sedate.

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.

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

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“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.”

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

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civilizationalcivilized