be civil

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They knew civil disobedience must be civil, peaceful resistance peaceful.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

“It is supposed to be civil detention, but… it is a jail,” Michael Lukens of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, told NBC News in March.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2025

"I'm angry, everyone is angry, but we can be civil," he said.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2025

The church takes pains to keep its official positions apolitical, and last weekend, one of its senior leaders, Dallin H. Oaks, encouraged members to be civil ahead of the November election.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2024

“It’s your job to be civil when you get home.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy