as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
when asked by a passerby what sort of government the constitutional convention had formulated for the new nation, Benjamin Franklin memorably replied, "A republic, if you can keep it"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 republic
Expecting a population raised under monarchs and mullahs to improvise a constitutional republic on short notice may be less strategy and more wishful thinking.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Iran’s future must be a secular republic grounded in pluralism, one that recognizes its multinational character, guarantees language and cultural rights, and devolves real power to regions.
—Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
For 37 years, Khamenei presided over a transformation of Iran’s political system from what was once called a republic into a system of concentrated clerical authority — what many critics describe as absolute guardianship.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The Abu Dhabi airport, alongside major Middle Eastern airports in Dubai and Doha, were all struck by Iranian missiles after the Islamic republic’s widespread retaliation to the offensive.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
Iran’s future must be a secular republic grounded in pluralism, one that recognizes its multinational character, guarantees language and cultural rights, and devolves real power to regions.
—Jalil Pakray, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2026
For 37 years, Khamenei presided over a transformation of Iran’s political system from what was once called a republic into a system of concentrated clerical authority — what many critics describe as absolute guardianship.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
The Abu Dhabi airport, alongside major Middle Eastern airports in Dubai and Doha, were all struck by Iranian missiles after the Islamic republic’s widespread retaliation to the offensive.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
-
Voting is the cornerstone of a democracy – the mechanism by which citizens make their voices count and one of the key things in public life that should transcend party lines.—
Kica Matos,
Hartford Courant,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Progressive councilors have touted the greater civic engagement and deepened democracy that participatory budgeting aims to achieve.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
