Decivilize

//diːˈsɪvɪlaɪz// verb

verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To make less civilized. transitive

    "Are we not in fact dicivilizing ourselves as we decivilize them? Why is there no outcry? Is it because we have cast off the delusion of human sanctity?"

  2. 2
    To become less civilized. intransitive

    "Or how beings such as ourselves—such as you now are— with lifespans measured in centuries and strength and endurance far beyond that of Terra- born humans, could decivilize so utterly?"

Synonyms

All synonyms
uncivilize

Example

More examples

"Are we not in fact dicivilizing ourselves as we decivilize them? Why is there no outcry? Is it because we have cast off the delusion of human sanctity?"

Etymology

From de- + civilize.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.