uncivil

adjective

ˌən-ˈsi-vəl How to pronounce uncivil (audio)
Definition of uncivilnext
1
as in rude
not civilized the uncivil and wild land that the pioneers tamed and settled

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disrespectful
showing a lack of manners or consideration for others such uncivil behavior will not be tolerated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 uncivil History has shown us that giving government moral authority over its people is a route to an uncivil society. — Charles F. Miller, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026 Harder still to see the people who have persevered through it all and the culture that preserves signs of civilization, even in deeply uncivil times. — Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 Lost in all the heated rhetoric is the fact that so much of this turmoil would have been avoided if federal detainers were simply honored within local jails and state prisons — away from the public and professional provocateurs who are drawn to uncivil cultural conflict like bees to honey. — Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026 Both mark the progression from civil dialogue to uncivil dialogue to force and fear. — Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for uncivil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncivil
  1. rude
  2. disrespectful
  3. barbarian
  4. discourteous
  5. savage
  6. ungracious
  7. wild
  8. unmannerly
Adjective
  • While older generations may interpret limited eye contact, a flat expression or a pause before responding as rude, lazy or unprofessional, that might not be a younger person’s intent at all, Leahy said.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Bel glows with a kind of rude Californian health and goes once a week for chiropractic adjustments, including of her jaw.
    — Alessandra Codinha, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • Was great timing to bring class an reverence to The Star Bangled Banner after the disrespectful behavior towards it this week by some classless individuals.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Fisherwoman, who is played by Colman with thrilling ribaldry, offers rejoinders to the disrespectful remarks.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of disrespectful
Adjective
  • Language would have been a part of the divide between Roman and barbarian.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
  • For the design of the barbarian figure, Sweet reached out to Mark Taylor, an artist and designer at Mattel.
    — Sanat Pai RaikarAll, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
Definition of barbarian
Adjective
  • Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026
  • In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of discourteous
Adjective
  • In ancient, supposedly more savage times, public killings were common.
    — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That’s when another event, GRB 250702B, revealed itself in all its relentless, savage glory.
    — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • But the tournament will also be remembered for a classless and churlish Argentina, which forever stained itself with a thuggish performance in the game and an ungracious one afterward.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Coaches Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Geno Auriemma of UConn had a heated courtside exchange afterward as Auriemma, in character, complained about the officiating and proved an ungracious loser, but at least apologized a day later.
    — Greg Cote April 5, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Definition of ungracious
Adjective
  • Unpacking Meta's wild week Meta delivered a strong third quarter Wednesday evening, but worries about negative free cash flow and its AI spending needs upstaged strong guidance and a promising roadmap for its viral Muse AI agent.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The film is a wild, frequently grotesque spectacle that careens between horror, action, slapstick, and black comedy.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of wild
Adjective
  • Criticizing gifts is unmannerly, and while one is not generally allowed to expect gifts, the rule can be bent in the case of romantic partners.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of unmannerly

Browse Nearby Words

unchurched
uncivil
uncivilized
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Cite this Entry

“Uncivil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncivil. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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