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
Five decades of broken agreements have shown that side-deals and photo-ops cannot civilize a theocracy.
—
Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
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
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
Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
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
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
-
Once a prominent participant in the Oslo peace process, Barghouti was known for cultivating ties with senior Israeli officials.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Taínos cultivated different crops ranging from fruits to sweet potatoes, yams, and peanuts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 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
Cite this Entry
“Civilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/civilize. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share