civilized

adjective

civ·​i·​lized ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd 

: characteristic of a state of civilization

civilized society

especially : characterized by taste, refinement, or restraint

Synonyms

• cultured
• polished
• accomplished

Examples of civilized in a Sentence

A civilized society must respond to crime with fairness and justice.

Stop yelling. We have to be more civilized about this.

Try to act like a civilized human being!

a civilized way to spend the evening

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran has been stringing along international watchdogs and civilized nations for years regarding its nuclear program. —Editorial, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025

The whole world, the United States, and Europe must finally respond as a civilized society responds to terrorists. —Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025

So when people try to take that term, as it has been used in nature, and apply it to our existence as civilized human beings, that’s a problem. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2025

Syfy’s latest original harks back to the mid-2010s when a glut of dramas presented zombies not as rabid, Romero-esque monsters hellbent on devouring flesh, but entirely civilized, regular-looking humans capable of reentering society. —Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing civilized

• civilized world
• hyper-civilized
• ultra-civilized

Rhymes for civilized

• acclimatized
• actualized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised