banana republic
noun
: a small dependent country usually of the tropics
especially
: one run despotically
Examples of banana republic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What happens if corrupt politicians and powerful judges permanently change America into a banana republic or a police state?
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2022
But while the verdict was right in this case, another line has been crossed against the rule of law by political opportunists, which makes our country continue to look ever more like a banana republic.
—Star Tribune, 21 Apr. 2021
No aspersions intended toward an ex-East Bloc prison house or a former banana republic, but that's really embarrassing for Abraham Lincoln's last best hope.
—Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021
Clearly, creating an effective blanket immunity for those powerful enough to run for president is truly the stuff of banana republics.
—Luke Thompson, National Review, 29 Sep. 2019
If this is a banana republic with a few very, very rich people and everyone else living in misery, that’s a failure.
—Casey Tolan, The Mercury News, 9 July 2019
San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2022
But while the verdict was right in this case, another line has been crossed against the rule of law by political opportunists, which makes our country continue to look ever more like a banana republic.
—Star Tribune, 21 Apr. 2021
No aspersions intended toward an ex-East Bloc prison house or a former banana republic, but that's really embarrassing for Abraham Lincoln's last best hope.
—Star Tribune, 28 Mar. 2021
Clearly, creating an effective blanket immunity for those powerful enough to run for president is truly the stuff of banana republics.
—Luke Thompson, National Review, 29 Sep. 2019
If this is a banana republic with a few very, very rich people and everyone else living in misery, that’s a failure.
—Casey Tolan, The Mercury News, 9 July 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'banana republic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1901, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near banana republic
Cite this Entry
“Banana republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/banana%20republic. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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