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
Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Libraries are among the most democratic institutions a civilized society has ever devised.
—James Porter, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
But in a time when formalities are an increasingly rare occurrence, and most beach resorts embrace flip-flops and athleisure—comfy, yes, but not polished or classy—the Gasparilla Inn’s insistence on dressing up is refreshingly civilized, if a bit old-fashioned.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilized
Adjective
For him, in becoming photosynthetic, civilized beings would only gain in hallmarks of intelligence, like autonomy and compassion, given that a species living off starlight converts energy to work without the messy, immoral mediation of a food chain.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Libraries are among the most democratic institutions a civilized society has ever devised.
—James Porter, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
But in a time when formalities are an increasingly rare occurrence, and most beach resorts embrace flip-flops and athleisure—comfy, yes, but not polished or classy—the Gasparilla Inn’s insistence on dressing up is refreshingly civilized, if a bit old-fashioned.
—Skye Sherman, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
One does detect in Iran hawks a kind of 'will to destruction' and hatred of boring, civilized diplomacy.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for civilized
Adjective
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Build out your pearl collection with the cultured finds below.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
18 May 2026
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Once the roads open and the Miura’s tachometer sweeps past 4,000 rpm, your ears are nourished by a cultured snarl that builds to a hammering roar.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
18 May 2026
Verb
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And with it, brothers Peter, David and Jack Baker have for 12 years cultivated a craft distillery in Litchfield, yes with a still that, to an outsider, could resemble art or a science project, and a tasting room loaded with tasty liquor, maple syrup and plenty of swag.—
Emily M. Olson,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
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The basketball team under coach Steve Fisher and now Brian Dutcher has cultivated a more loyal and robust fan base, having reached 12 of the last 16 NCAA Tournaments, four Sweet 16s and one Final Four.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The structured top handle makes this bag a polished option, while the removable shoulder strap transforms it into an everyday staple.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
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At the center is a quartz crystal accompanied by recordings of titanium being hammered and polished.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Martelli, herself an accomplished actor, has drawn persuasive and involving performances from her international cast.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
Anna Leigh Waters, a prodigy from Delray Beach, Florida, is known as the most accomplished player in pickleball history.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Civilized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilized. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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