incivility
/ˌɪnsəˈvɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnsəˈvɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin(t)-sə-ˈvi-lə-tē/ (ame, mw)
incivility — noun
1. behaviour or speech that lacks politeness and respect when dealing with other pe
behaviour or speech that lacks politeness and respect when dealing with other people, often shown by ignoring someone, using a sharp tone, or refusing the small courtesies expected in a workplace or public setting.
The mayor apologised for the incivility shown to reporters at the press meeting.
incivility shown to [people] — formal noun for rude treatment
Jin was shocked by the open incivility between two senior managers during the board meeting.
incivility between [people] — mutual rude behaviour
Workplace incivility, such as eye-rolling and short replies, can quietly damage a team over many months.
Yael reported several small acts of incivility from the new tenant, including slammed doors and rude notes.
The professor would not tolerate any incivility toward visiting speakers in her seminar room.
- rudeness
everyday, neutral register; incivility is more formal and often used in workplace or civic contexts
- discourtesy
very close synonym, also formal; slightly more focused on failing to observe polite custom
- impoliteness
milder; describes failure to follow etiquette rather than active disrespect
- rude behaviour
plain-English paraphrase suitable for any register
- civility
direct antonym; polite, formal behaviour toward others
- courtesy
active politeness, often through small considerate acts
- politeness
everyday opposite, less formal than civility
文法句型
incivility toward someone
an act of incivility
用法筆記
Frequently appears as 'workplace incivility' or 'acts of incivility' in formal writing about behaviour at work, online, or in public service. Uncountable when describing a general quality; countable (with 'an act of', plural 'incivilities') when naming specific rude behaviours.