as in cultured
having or showing a taste for the fine arts and gracious living
a civilized older couple who are celebrated for holding dinner parties that are attended by the city's best and brightest
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Recent Examples of civilized
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
See All Example Sentences for civilized
Verb
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
See All Example Sentences for civilized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilized
Adjective
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New money families fought for their place at the table with old money institutions by throwing undeniably elegant balls (with the proper soup) and funding irresistibly cultured opera houses (with the proper spectators).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 June 2025
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Goldwyn continued to crave the skills of savvy, street-smart writers like Hellman, the kind of intellect who might elevate an industry many cultured people still looked down their nose at.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
Verb
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Trust Of The Heart Affective trust is the trust of the heart, cultivated when leaders authentically connect on an emotional level and demonstrate genuine empathy.—
Ricky Muddimer,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
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For wine lovers seeking a casual, modern experience, Portland has cultivated a vibrant urban wine scene that offers an exciting alternative to California’s more traditional tasting rooms.—
Rachel King,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And so while polished OS betas that are clearly for public use are one thing, don’t stretch the point too far.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Onscreen, Supergirl has historically been portrayed as a kind, good-hearted, polished girl — not dissimilar to Superman, in fact.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Today, he’s recognized as one of the most accomplished architects of all time.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
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Davis was described as an accomplished photographer, videographer, filmmaker and editor with skill in the technical performing arts.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Civilized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilized. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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