civilize

as in to cultivate

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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 civilize Under the guise of a civilizing mission, the empire of AI is accelerating its global expansion and entrenching its power. Karen Hao, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025 But Scandinavia has always struck me as unusually civilized. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025 Historically, imperialist leaders have used military conquest, economic coercion or diplomatic pressure to expand their dominions, and justified their foreign incursions as civilizing missions, economic opportunities or national security imperatives. Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2025 Colonial empires were founded upon understandings of racial hierarchy and civilizing missions. Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2021 See All Example Sentences for civilize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilize
Verb
  • Today, the best marketing leaders have to cultivate technical expertise and storytelling skills, as well as deep psychological awareness.
    Barbara Puszkiewicz-Cimino, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • And while stronger loyalty and business results will naturally follow, the true reward lies in cultivating those relationships.
    Geoff Robins, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • During the party’s push to urbanize China in the 2000s, many farmers had to surrender even these meager rights in exchange for an apartment and a welfare check.
    Ian Johnson, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
  • As cities urbanize and increase in density, more buildings and underground utilities become spaces for rats, and more food becomes available for rodents to eat.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Civilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilize. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

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