suzerainty

noun

su·​zer·​ain·​ty ˈsü-zə-rən-tē How to pronounce suzerainty (audio)
-ˌrān-;
ˈsüz-rən-
: the dominion of a suzerain : overlordship

Examples of suzerainty in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From resistance to Ottoman taxes to defiance of British rule, from opposition to Hashemite suzerainty to disputing neoliberal reforms, Jordanians have regularly made their views known. Jillian Schwedler, Foreign Affairs, 20 Dec. 2022 From suzerainty over the Middle East, North Africa and more than a quarter of Europe to almost nothing by the end. Melik Kaylan, WSJ, 17 Dec. 2021 The Chagatay rule extended through the heart of Central Asia, and to the south the Ilkhanid suzerainty, with its epicenter in Persia, overflowed into Turkey and Afghanistan. Colin Thubron, The New York Review of Books, 22 July 2021 The 2022 presidential election is an opportunity to debate whether to stand with its neighbors or risk eventually living under Greater China’s suzerainty. John Bolton, WSJ, 20 Oct. 2021 Since 2016, China has put a lot of energy into shrinking Australia down to an impotent Chinese suzerainty. Craig Hooper, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suzerainty.' 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

French suzeraineté, from Middle French susereneté, from suserain

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suzerainty was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near suzerainty

Cite this Entry

“Suzerainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suzerainty. Accessed 9 Oct. 2024.

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