multipolar
adjective
mul·ti·po·lar
ˌməl-tē-ˈpō-lər 
-ˌtī-
1
: having several poles (see pole entry 3)
a multipolar generator
multipolar mitoses
2
: having several dendrites
multipolar neurons
3
: characterized by more than two centers of power or interest
a multipolar world
Examples of multipolar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Advocating an effective ‘multipolar’ world Guterres said a multipolar world needs strong, effective multilateral institutions where all countries work together to solve the world’s challenges.
—
Edith M. Lederer, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2023
Indian officials have been advocating in favor of a multipolar world order in which New Delhi is seen as indispensable to global solutions.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
Calls by Russia and China for a multipolar world are supported in Africa, where many nations resent Western pressure to pick sides in the war against Ukraine.
—Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
The expansion signifies an important move in the attempt to reshape the global order into a multipolar world, with voices from the Global South at the center of the international agenda.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2023
Even many Americans take it for granted that the world is now multipolar.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023
The world appears increasingly multipolar, with different blocs operating on very different terms.
—David Michels, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
Erdogan’s Turkey operates on the premise that the West is in decline and that a multipolar world is emerging, which ostensibly provides openings for Turkey’s rise to great-power status.
—Asli Aydintasbas, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2023
Attending the summit was expected to be a key moment in Putin’s diplomatic calendar for 2023, part of a Kremlin effort to portray him as a leader with many strong global allies, shaping a new multipolar world order as a challenge to the United States.
—Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
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Edith M. Lederer, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2023
Indian officials have been advocating in favor of a multipolar world order in which New Delhi is seen as indispensable to global solutions.
—Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2023
Calls by Russia and China for a multipolar world are supported in Africa, where many nations resent Western pressure to pick sides in the war against Ukraine.
—Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
The expansion signifies an important move in the attempt to reshape the global order into a multipolar world, with voices from the Global South at the center of the international agenda.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2023
Even many Americans take it for granted that the world is now multipolar.
—Stephen G. Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 18 Apr. 2023
The world appears increasingly multipolar, with different blocs operating on very different terms.
—David Michels, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
Erdogan’s Turkey operates on the premise that the West is in decline and that a multipolar world is emerging, which ostensibly provides openings for Turkey’s rise to great-power status.
—Asli Aydintasbas, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2023
Attending the summit was expected to be a key moment in Putin’s diplomatic calendar for 2023, part of a Kremlin effort to portray him as a leader with many strong global allies, shaping a new multipolar world order as a challenge to the United States.
—Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 19 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'multipolar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near multipolar
Cite this Entry
“Multipolar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multipolar. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
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Medical Definition
multipolar
adjective
mul·ti·po·lar
ˌməl-ti-ˈpō-lər
-ˌtī-
-ˌtī-
1
: having several poles
multipolar mitoses
2
: having several dendrites
multipolar nerve cells
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