civilize
to bring out of a savage, uneducated, or rude state; make civil; elevate in social and private life; enlighten; refine: Rome civilized the barbarians.
Origin of civilize
1- Also especially British, civ·i·lise .
Other words for civilize
Other words from civilize
- civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
- civ·i·liz·a·to·ry [siv-uh-lahy-zuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ˌsɪv əˈlaɪ zəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
- civ·i·liz·er, noun
- de·civ·i·lize, verb (used with object), de·civ·i·lized, de·civ·i·liz·ing.
- non·civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
- o·ver·civ·i·lize, verb, o·ver·civ·i·lized, o·ver·civ·i·liz·ing.
- un·civ·i·liz·a·ble, adjective
- un·civ·i·lize, verb (used with object), un·civ·i·lized, un·civ·i·liz·ing.
Words Nearby civilize
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use civilize in a sentence
He made you city dwellers and civilized you with good laws and customs.
The Mighty Macedonian Phalanx: 6 Things You Should Know | Dattatreya Mandal | July 29, 2022 | Realm of HistorySometimes it takes just one civilizing meal to make us feel like ourselves again.
Daniel Boulud on the essential role of restaurants in recovering from the pandemic | Anne Quito | June 8, 2021 | QuartzAlexander Stuart, the third interior secretary, once declared that the United States’ mission was to “civilize or exterminate” native people.
Why Senate Republicans fear Deb Haaland | Julian Brave NoiseCat | February 25, 2021 | Washington PostAn Army veteran looks at the fall of Mosul and recalls his own time there trying to civilize the land with guns and money.
It means destroying Bedouin villages in the place where Jews civilize the desert.
Consider it part of the mission to civilize, a necessary part of the process to start solving problems again in Washington.
Vote the Bums Out: the Eight Worst Members of Congress | John Avlon | November 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTIn the old days, colonial occupiers had what the French called “a mission to civilize.”
The O Word: Christopher Dickey on What Occupation Means Today | Christopher Dickey | December 6, 2011 | THE DAILY BEASTA person who had resided some time on the coast of Africa, was asked if he thought it possible to civilize the natives?
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | VariousNothing but slavery ever partially civilized him, nothing but slavery continued in some form can civilize him further!
But our object in the country is to civilize and Christianize the Indian tribes among whom we are located.
Early Western Travels 1748-1846, Volume XXX | Joel PalmerAre they useful men helping to civilize and elevate their less fortunate fellows?
The Negro Problem | Booker T. Washington, et al.History furnishes us with abundant and specific evidence of his capacity to civilize and Christianize.
History of the Negro Race in America From 1619 to 1880. Vol 1 | George W. Williams
British Dictionary definitions for civilize
civilise
/ (ˈsɪvɪˌlaɪz) /
to bring out of savagery or barbarism into a state characteristic of civilization
to refine, educate, or enlighten
Derived forms of civilize
- civilizable or civilisable, adjective
- civilizer or civiliser, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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