civilly
Americanadverb
-
politely; courteously.
-
in accordance with civil law.
Etymology
Origin of civilly
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.
In general, the law is deferential to police, giving officers significant discretion to use force, making it difficult to hold them criminally or civilly liable.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
In the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned breaking unjust laws openly, cheerfully, lovingly and civilly, while willingly accepting the penalty.
From Salon • Jul. 5, 2025
The two could civilly debate the issues of the day while cheerily disagreeing with each other—serving as a model of bipartisan debate and domesticity.
From Slate • Nov. 1, 2024
My family has feelings opposite of mine when it comes to politics but I was always able to discuss things civilly.
From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024
It would have been a pleasure to tell him where to go, but I spoke civilly.
From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
