uncivilized

adjective

un·​civ·​i·​lized ˌən-ˈsi-və-ˌlīzd 

1

: not civilized: such as

a

somewhat old-fashioned : not polite, reasonable, or respectable : objectionable according to social norms

uncivilized language/behavior

—often used humorously

We were awakened at an uncivilized hour.

Only the uncivilized would put lettuce and tomato on a true cheeseburger, which God decreed to be accompanied by mustard and dill pickle only.

—Phil Musick

b

: showing gross disregard for the law or for the fair and humane treatment of people or animals

a brutal and uncivilized punishment

Looting was a wild, lawless, uncivilized thing to do, but I saw enough of it during World War II to understand how even a relatively civilized soldier could do it.

—Andrew A. Rooney

c

old-fashioned + often offensive : not having the kinds of social systems, technologies, etc. that are seen in most modern societies

uncivilized [=primitive] cultures

2

: remote from settled areas : wild

… a hidden river, entirely uncivilized with no roads or trails touching it …

—Patricia Spring

Synonyms

• barbarian
• barbaric
• barbarous
• heathen
• heathenish
• natural
• Neanderthal
• Neandertal
• rude
• savage
• uncivil
• uncultivated
• wild

Examples of uncivilized in a Sentence

He was awakened at an uncivilized hour.

They believe that capital punishment is uncivilized.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the Omanis, Zanzibar grew rich selling spices, ivory, and slaves, mostly non-Muslims from the interior, whom the island’s élites derided as washenzi, or uncivilized. —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2022

Forcing a woman to choose between jail and carrying her rapist's baby is uncivilized and medieval. —CNN, 27 June 2022

There is no doubt uncivilized — and sometimes violent — acts have taken place in school bathrooms. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 June 2022

Roxane Gay: For all our cultural obsession with civility, there is nothing more uncivilized than the political establishment’s acceptance of the constancy of mass shootings. —New York Times, 26 May 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

uncivilized

adjective

un·​civ·​i·​lized ˌən-ˈsiv-ə-ˌlīzd 

1

: not civilized : lacking culture or refinement

2

: far from civilization : wild