uncivilized
/'ʌn'sivilaizd/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not having reached an advanced social or cultural stage; lacking the norms, customs, and refinements associated with a developed society. This describes societies, peoples, or practices considered primitive or barbaric by a specific cultural standard.
- Behaving in a rude, coarse, or brutal manner. This describes individual behavior that is considered crude, violent, or lacking in civility.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- Early explorers often mistakenly labeled indigenous tribes as uncivilized.
- The act of destroying cultural heritage is widely viewed as an uncivilized practice.
- His uncivilized behavior at the dinner party shocked the other guests.
Advanced Usage
- "uncivilized to the core": completely lacking in civilized qualities.
- The dictator's regime was considered uncivilized to the core, showing no respect for human rights.
- Used in anthropological or historical critique, often within quotes to indicate the term reflects a biased, ethnocentric perspective rather than an objective fact.
- The term "uncivilized" is now problematic as it imposes one culture's standards on another.
Variants and Related Words
- Uncivil (adj): rude, impolite, discourteous (typically describes specific behavior, not whole societies).
- His uncivil remarks ended the debate.
- Uncivilizedly (adv): in an uncivilized manner. (Rarely used)
- Civilized (adj): opposite in meaning; having a high state of culture and social development; polite, well-mannered.
Synonyms
- Barbaric: savagely cruel or primitive.
- Barbarous: extremely brutal or primitive.
- Savage: fierce, violent, and uncontrolled; primitive.
- Primitive: relating to an early stage of development.
- Crude: simple and not skillfully done or made; lacking grace or sensitivity.
Antonyms
- Civilized
- Cultured
- Sophisticated
- Refined
- Developed
Related Idioms/Phrases
- A return to uncivilized times: a regression to a state perceived as primitive or lawless.
- The collapse of the government led to what many feared was a return to uncivilized times.
- Uncivilized hour: (informal, humorous) a very early or inconvenient time of day.
- Why is the meeting scheduled for such an uncivilized hour?
Adjective
-
without civilizing influences
-
barbarian invaders
-
barbaric practices
-
a savage people
-
fighting is crude and uncivilized especially if the weapons are efficient-Margaret Meade
-
wild tribes
-
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