city-state
noun
ˈsi-tē-ˌstāt 
also -ˈstāt
: an autonomous state consisting of a city and surrounding territory
Examples of city-state in a Sentence
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In the wealthy city-state of Singapore, migrant workers are excluded from the country’s Employment Act and limits on working hours, among other protections, and are restricted from participating in union activities, the report said.
—
Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
One is reminded of Athens’s brutal treatment of its own Delian League, an alliance of Greek city-states to protect each other from Persian aggression, the ancient version of NATO.
—Johan Norberg, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2026
Alexander of Macedon, later Alexander the Great, took advantage of Philip’s enrichment of Macedon and defeat of the Greek city-states, as well as the weak position of Persia in the East.
—Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
The mayor talked about the new level of city-state cooperation.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
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Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
One is reminded of Athens’s brutal treatment of its own Delian League, an alliance of Greek city-states to protect each other from Persian aggression, the ancient version of NATO.
—Johan Norberg, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2026
Alexander of Macedon, later Alexander the Great, took advantage of Philip’s enrichment of Macedon and defeat of the Greek city-states, as well as the weak position of Persia in the East.
—Literary Hub, 13 Jan. 2026
The mayor talked about the new level of city-state cooperation.
—Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for city-state
Cite this Entry
“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/city-state. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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