1
as in monarchism
a system of government in which there is only one ruler whose power is unlimited
Under a monarchy, the position of ruler is often passed down from parent to child.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in democracy
a group of people who live in a territory ruled by a single person
The country was formerly a monarchy, but has now transitioned to a republic.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of monarchy
In marrying into, then blowing the whistle on, the British monarchy, Meghan has both inspired love and hope and fangirls and been targeted with hate, including a torrent of racist, sexist abuse from the British tabloids and gross commentary from President Trump.
—
Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
These nods to a long association with the British monarchy started in 1903 when Penhaligon’s was awarded its first Royal Warrant by the Queen Consort to King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra.
—Gemma A. Williams, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
At the time, Newsweek was told this was connected to the king's desire to slim down the monarchy and that Harry and Meghan had wanted their children to get what Eugenie and Beatrice were given.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Yeah, there seems to be affection for the original line of royalty who were all about sharing resources, even though communism, or even socialism, is at odds with monarchy.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
These nods to a long association with the British monarchy started in 1903 when Penhaligon’s was awarded its first Royal Warrant by the Queen Consort to King Edward VII, Queen Alexandra.
—Gemma A. Williams, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
At the time, Newsweek was told this was connected to the king's desire to slim down the monarchy and that Harry and Meghan had wanted their children to get what Eugenie and Beatrice were given.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Yeah, there seems to be affection for the original line of royalty who were all about sharing resources, even though communism, or even socialism, is at odds with monarchy.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monarchy
Noun
-
But a slave mentality remains deeply ingrained in Russian minds, along with a latent monarchism and paternalism.—
Nikita Petrov,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2017
-
But for anyone outside the British elite, the constitutional monarchism that emerged after the civil wars did not look much like democracy or true liberty.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
20 Aug. 2024
Noun
-
The group's latest initiative continues its campaign of peaceful resistance, using the symbolism of May Day—a historic day of worker solidarity—to spotlight broader concerns about democracy and rising authoritarianism.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
-
With these forces united, Ukraine had a better chance of negotiating an outcome that protects its own interests as well as those of Europe and democracies elsewhere in the world.—
Eric Green,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The past holds many examples of great change: regimes ending, monarchies becoming republics, whole civilizations vanishing, ways of managing relations between peoples and states swept aside, to be replaced by new ones.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Drawn out of his humble galley kitchen and into a world of diplomatic intrigue, Carême becomes a pawn in the cold war between Talleyrand, a Machiavellian schemer stabbing backs in the name of a newborn republic, and Fouché, a draconian lawman who mistrusts anything that moves.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Oesterheld was kidnapped during the Argentine military dictatorship in 1977 and presumed dead, which turned the graphic novel into a symbol of resistance.—
Isadora Wandermurem,
Time,
1 May 2025
-
This agreement created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, giving full governing autonomy to Hungary, which Franz Joseph had placed under a military dictatorship following Hungarian nationals’ failed bid for independence in 1848.—
Elizabeth Djinis,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The sovereign also said then that William was the new Duke of Cornwall, inheriting possession of the royal family's famed estate worth $1 billion and its holdings.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
The sovereign had met Pope Francis during a state visit to Italy at the beginning of April.—
Blanche Marcel,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
May is the time to invest wisely, delegate responsibly, and set the foundations of your kingdom.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 May 2025
-
The oil-rich kingdom has significantly increased defense spending since 2015, largely driven by its military involvement in Yemen against the Houthi rebels, alongside investments in modernization and advanced weaponry, including recent arms deals with the U.S. to bolster its capabilities.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Many on the list, which was shared with NPR, were for environmental justice projects, including one grant that supported initiatives such as flood mitigation in southwest Virginia, a deep red part of the commonwealth where communities have been shaped by the coal industry's booms and busts.—
Michael Copley,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Read told reporters outside the courthouse on Wednesday that the defense has used 11 of their 16 challenges, and the commonwealth has used 12 during jury selection, according to WCVB.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Trump administration’s new tariffs, including a 10% base tariff on most nations, have led to stock market declines and production interruptions, prompting many businesses to reassess hiring and financial health.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Rather, given Cascadian ecology—the primary focus of Carr’s images—understandings of her imaginative creations might also be constructed irrespective of nation: an artist seen primarily in relation to her place, itself her subject.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share