foreign affairs

plural noun

: matters having to do with international relations and with the interests of the home country in foreign countries

Examples of foreign affairs 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.
The rare moves, which often happen only during times of conflict, could create new foreign affairs headaches, even as Republicans laud the plans. Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 6 Aug. 2026 Félix Plasencia, the country’s foreign affairs minister, made the announcement in a statement. ABC News, 25 July 2026 Chinese ministry of foreign affairs did not respond to CNBC's request for comments. Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 July 2026 Elizabeth Shackelford is a senior adviser with the Institute for Global Affairs at Eurasia Group and a foreign affairs columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for foreign affairs

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreign affairs was in 1611

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foreign affairs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreign%20affairs. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on foreign affairs

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!