CIVILIAN Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

civilian 1 of 2

noun

Definition of civilian next

as in noncombatant

Related Words

Relevance

noncombatant

Dissimilar Words

civilian

2 of 2

adjective

as in civil

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 civilian

Noun

Defense secretaries don’t usually get involved in decisions about the careers of colonels and other mid-level commanders, given that the lead civilian in the Pentagon is supposed to oversee war planning, a department of 3 million people, and America’s nuclear arsenal. —

Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2026 According to the report, officers were flagged down by an unknown civilian who told them a white truck was swerving in and out of traffic and that the driver might be drunk. —

arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2026

Adjective

While many of the Iranian strikes target military bases, there are increasingly civilian attacks, including in Qatar on Wednesday. —

Andrea Mitchell, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026 Mamdani initially envisioned a $1 billion-per-year agency that would dispatch civilian workers, instead of police, in non-criminal emergencies. —

ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for civilian

Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilian

Noun

The government accused the Druze of resisting its rule and, in combination with tens of thousands of Bedouin tribal fighters, attacked Druze villages, killing hundreds of people, including many noncombatants.

— Steven N. Simon, Foreign Affairs, 10 Sep. 2025
His cases there included the successful prosecution — in a 25-month trial — of a Croatian general who ordered the slaughter of Muslim noncombatants.

— Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025