Phrases
the GOP
: the Republican Party of the U.S.
longtime members of the GOP
often used before another noun
a GOP governor
attending the GOP convention

Note: GOP was originally an abbreviation of "Grand Old Party."

Examples of GOP in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Republicans from all factions of the conference touted a GOP mandate — and a deep sense of unity. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026 Make no mistake, the GOP faces high hurdles as the midterms approach, regardless of CNN’s poll numbers. Las Vegas Review-Journal, Twin Cities, 24 Feb. 2026 Also contested on the GOP side are the Collin County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, 3 and 4 seats. Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 24 Feb. 2026 Still, his comments were enough to get Hilton to claim Bianco was abandoning GOP principles. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026 That means the March GOP primaries could effectively determine who wins in November. Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026 At the state education board meeting, a last-minute amendment proposed by the board’s GOP treasurer sought to remove dozens of works from the list, including Senesh’s poem and Washington’s letter. Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026 In Trump's first term, when his rating was 41%, the GOP lost 40 seats. Susan Page, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026 Is this about protecting elections or protecting GOP power in the midterms and beyond? Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of GOP was in 1882

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Cite this Entry

“GOP.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/GOP. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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