SOCIETY Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

society

noun

sə-ˈsī-ə-tē

Definition of society

as in organization

a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest a debate society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in community

the feeling of closeness and friendship that exists between companions an evening marked by a lovely dinner and the society of our closest friends

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in civilization

the way people live at a particular time and place a pre-automobile society in which ordinary people rarely strayed far from home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of society In its bleakest moments, the novel suggests that the ordeal of being gay in a venomously bigoted society negates its bounty. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 New York streets were plastered with posters calling for a boycott of the gala, castigating the couple over their conspicuous displays of wealth and accusing them of attempting to buy their way into fashion’s high society. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026 Rather, balancing the economic drive of private innovation against its potential excesses is a whole-of-society effort. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 Aug. 2026 And since foreign agents are potentially everywhere, the counterintelligence approach has allowed the FSB to penetrate more deeply into ordinary society, as well as into private-sector companies and state institutions themselves. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for society

Recent Examples of Synonyms for society

Noun

This chart shows the 24-hour moving average load for PJM Interconnection, a major regional transmission organization in the US, which can be understood as the average electricity demand placed on the grid over the past day.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Now his focus is on following in his parents’ footsteps working with the Children’s Institute, an organization that supports children and families.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of organization

Noun

Owner Matthew Doeding aims to create a community third space for gamers to gather and play.

— Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
The hospital was run by Louisiana State University, which determined that Katrina left the building too damaged to reopen — an assessment that was disputed by some hospital staff and community members.

— JACK BROOK, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of community

Noun

In other words, the movement sees liberalism not as the foundation but as the cancer of Western civilization.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026
Amenities and experiences The name Anasazi refers to the Native American civilization that once inhabited the Four Corners region, renowned for their cliff dwellings and recognized as the ancestors of today's Pueblo peoples.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of civilization

Noun

Local media also reported gunshots ringing out from the Plateau administrative district, where the Presidential Palace and key institutions are located.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026
Summary Canadian universities have successfully recruited 64 international scholars, 48 from top American institutions like Harvard and MIT.

— Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of institution

Noun

Tom Brady’s 23-season NFL career includes seven Super Bowl titles, three MVP awards, numerous endorsements with lifestyle brands like Ugg, and the distinction as the greatest player ever.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Beaded beauties Shells and semiprecious stones find life as statement necklaces and bangles at Hues of Hills, available at lifestyle boutique Vayu - Design for Living in New Delhi.

— Sohini Dey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of lifestyle

Noun

However, many trade associations include sole proprietors who don't qualify for an AHP, and some organizations have members in a range of industries.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Disputes over Israel, antisemitism and El-Sayed’s association with controversial online commentator Hasan Piker have complicated the party’s effort to turn its attention to Republican Mike Rogers.

— Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of association

Browse Nearby Words

societies

society

sociopathic

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Society.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/society. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of society

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on society

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes