incivility

noun

in·​ci·​vil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-sə-ˈvi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being uncivil

2

: a rude or discourteous act

Synonyms

• dis [slang]
• diss
• discourteousness
• discourtesy
• disrespect
• disrespectfulness
• impertinence
• impertinency
• impoliteness
• impudence
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• insolence
• rudeness
• ungraciousness

Examples of incivility in a Sentence

We chose to ignore their little insults and incivilities.

I won't tolerate incivility, and that includes text messaging while I'm speaking.

Recent Examples on the Web

In his opening remarks, SHRM Chief Human Resources Officer Jim Link said his organization has found that workplace incivility is seen in connection to greater disagreements taking place outside of work. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Research backs this up: Studies on narcissistic leadership link it to higher levels of workplace incivility and lower levels of trust among team members. —Mark Murphy, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Read more Workplace incivility spikes around elections, expert says at Newsweek event Presidential election causing office unrest? —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

According to a press release from the Society for Human Resource Management, 190 million acts of incivility occur each day in American workplaces. —Nathan Christensen, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French incivilité, from Late Latin incivilitat-, incivilitas, from incivilis, from Latin in- + civilis civil

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

incivility

noun

in·​ci·​vil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-sə-ˈvil-ət-ē 

plural incivilities

1

: the quality or state of being impolite

2

: a rude or discourteous act