1
as in courtesy
an act or utterance that is a customary show of good manners
after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in manners
speech or behavior that is a sign of good breeding
treated people from all walks of life with the same unfailing civility
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of civility
The behavior displayed by Dr. Behrend has raised significant concerns, resulting in multiple meetings, multiple concerns from residents, a review of our security protocols, and engagement with the Human Relations Council to explore a formal code of civility.
—
Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
When co-creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson and the rest of their creative team home in on what makes these girls and women tick, maneuvering the characters to reflect the thin line between civility and the feral, Yellowjackets is luscious, immersive, and barbed.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
This means not only a safe plane, but a safe cabin where everyone conducts themselves with civility....
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
What can people do to spread more civility rather than feeling helpless?
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civility
Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025
When co-creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson and the rest of their creative team home in on what makes these girls and women tick, maneuvering the characters to reflect the thin line between civility and the feral, Yellowjackets is luscious, immersive, and barbed.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Feb. 2025
This means not only a safe plane, but a safe cabin where everyone conducts themselves with civility....
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
What can people do to spread more civility rather than feeling helpless?
—Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civility
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civility
Noun
-
Towson trimmed the deficit to 49-42 with 13:04 remaining courtesy of an 8-2 burst.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Jacob and Sophie’s teacher realizes there’s a problem, and puts together an impromptu lesson on basic courtesy in bathrooms.—
Sarah Hoffman and Ian Hoffman,
TIME,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
After seeing how reluctant to move the horse was, their older sibling decided to jump in and help delay their owner's departure—albeit, with much gentler manners.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
3 Jan. 2025
-
For more on how to lose your clothes but not your manners, have a look at our perennial guide to nude beach etiquette.—
CNN,
The Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
These range from coral restoration in Jamaica to water catchments for schools in Grenada and marine conservation education in Antigua—and even seemingly small gestures that can have a big impact, like supplying technology to an elementary school in the Bahamas.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Israel's spy agency lists failures in preventing Oct. 7 attack Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said in a statement the group would release Alexander, who is alive, and the bodies of four dual nationals as an initial gesture.—
Aya Batrawy,
NPR,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Standout moments included Tom Ford’s striking blue leather shirt in look 27; the rich tonal head-to-toe looks at Gabriela Hearst, and Givenchy’s luxurious high-necked drape dresses, which were the epitome of elegance.—
Rhonda Richford,
WWD,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Shot by Kacper Kasprzyk and styled by Carine Roitfeld, the spread exudes elegance and sophistication.—
Mecca Pryor,
Essence,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
He was deployed to Italy, where his conspicuous gallantry in combat earned him the Military Cross.—
Lawrence D. Freedman,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Jan. 2020
-
Crank up the gallantry, crank up the generosity: Send a spark of love and novelty into the black cloud.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Ed’s monstrous behavior under the influence of cortisone shatters the veneer of middle-class gentility to reveal the fault lines repressed beneath it.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Like Michaels, the band wanted to maintain its nonconformist cred, even though its members were verging on gentility.—
Jillian Sederholm,
EW.com,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Employment in leisure and hospitality as well as retail trade also fell a bit, perhaps reflecting the dampening effects on spending of declining consumer confidence.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
-
In terms of weak spots, retail trade as well as leisure and hospitality were the two groups to see job losses in February.—
Sean Conlon,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to civility
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civility. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share