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.
Can you sue him civilly for depriving you of your civil rights?
From Slate ● May 4, 2026
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
“But do it civilly and do it responsibly.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2025
Theodora and Eleanor and Luke murmured civilly, and Mrs. Montague nodded and said, “I see you didn’t bother to wait dinner for us.”
From "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson
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.
