civilize
verb
civ·i·lize ˈsi-və-ˌlīz 
civilized; civilizing
transitive verb
1
: to cause to develop out of a primitive state
especially : to bring to a technically advanced and rationally ordered stage of cultural development
2
a
: educate, refine
b
: socialize sense 1
intransitive verb
: to acquire the customs and amenities of a civil community
civilizer noun
Example Sentences
Her parents hoped that boarding school might civilize her some. a teacher who had a civilizing influence on the students He is credited with civilizing the treatment of people with mental illnesses. efforts to civilize the health-care system They believed it was their duty to civilize the native people.
Recent Examples on the Web Just as the United States had conquered the American West, the nation would subdue, civilize, and remake international relations. 
Daniel Bessner, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022 The goal was to civilize Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Felicia Fonseca, Anchorage Daily News, 13 May 2022 The goal was to civilize Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 13 May 2022 Gardens civilize our relationship with nature, but only barely so; there’s always the serpent of surprise lurking somewhere in the shrubbery. Christoph Irmscher, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2021 During the 1870s, Fred Harvey did more to civilize the Wild West than anyone with a six-shooter. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2020 Fifth is fine for everything from low-speed economy cruising to long-legged and very heady running at the top end, where the turbo system's softening, civilizing effect on the five-cylinder's inherent high-rev tingle is especially nice. Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 22 May 2020 So why not spend it in the civilizing thrall of great art? Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2019 In their efforts to civilize the workplace, however, Roosevelt and his allies didn’t set up a new institution for workers to speak through. Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2019 See More
Daniel Bessner, Harper’s Magazine , 22 June 2022 The goal was to civilize Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Felicia Fonseca, Anchorage Daily News, 13 May 2022 The goal was to civilize Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 13 May 2022 Gardens civilize our relationship with nature, but only barely so; there’s always the serpent of surprise lurking somewhere in the shrubbery. Christoph Irmscher, WSJ, 20 Dec. 2021 During the 1870s, Fred Harvey did more to civilize the Wild West than anyone with a six-shooter. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 10 Sep. 2020 Fifth is fine for everything from low-speed economy cruising to long-legged and very heady running at the top end, where the turbo system's softening, civilizing effect on the five-cylinder's inherent high-rev tingle is especially nice. Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 22 May 2020 So why not spend it in the civilizing thrall of great art? Marley Marius, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2019 In their efforts to civilize the workplace, however, Roosevelt and his allies didn’t set up a new institution for workers to speak through. Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1595, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Kids Definition
civilize
verb
civ·i·lize ˈsi-və-ˌlīz
civilized; civilizing
: to cause to have a more advanced or modern way of living
civilizing
verb
as in urbanizing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- urbanizing
- cultivating
- citifying