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
  • Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • By the same token, French-style discretion can be interpreted by American visitors as inattentive and rude.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • The island’s prefect, Thierry Devimeux, who is white and took up the post in September 2025, recently accused a Black fisherman of being disrespectful by talking to him in Creole.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Her account did not support Harding's claim that the fan had made a disrespectful comment.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 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
  • The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index weathered a savage 30% drawdown, has been choppily trendless for two months, then in recent days finally broke above its downtrend and surmounted the 50-day moving average.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 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
  • That set the stage for a strange wild-card game against Philadelphia in which the Eagles built a 51-7 lead and held on despite the Lions scoring 30 points down the stretch.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Close to 10,000 fans who plunked down $10 a ticket on Saturday to essentially witness a glorified practice at the Sixers’ home arena went wild for James' debut.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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