1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
a whole bloc of students got together to complain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in coalitions
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection
the bloc that the United States and most of western Europe formed during the Cold War
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 blocs
In analyzing the two voter blocs, DiCamillo found that the biggest demographic differences were the political dimensions.
—
Koko Nakajima, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Beyond acting as mere street gangs, the two blocs have displayed military and political prowess, while being accused of vast human rights abuses.
—Tom O'Connor, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
Any potential reorganization of trade blocs would be disastrous for China’s ability to expand to foreign markets, especially at a time when its tech giants are relying on overseas growth to compensate for the structural decline of the domestic economy.
—Reva Goujon, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2024
This is before factoring in the effects on the economy and any retaliatory actions by trade partners, including other countries and trade blocs like the EU.
—Dearbea Walker, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The agreement, which is designed to facilitate trade between the two blocs by lowering tariffs on a range of products, now needs the approval of EU Parliament and a qualified majority of 15 member states.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Yes, Republicans are doing a bit better among some core Democratic voting blocs.
—Todd Eberly, Baltimore Sun, 21 Dec. 2024
These challenges came from autocratic populists within liberal democracies as well as from blocs of countries that offered an alternative to American hegemony.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2024
Over the past two decades, however, intense partisanship, regional political blocs, voter suppression efforts, and new media have produced a quarter-century of close, volatile elections— much like in the Gilded Age.
—Bruce J. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Koko Nakajima, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Beyond acting as mere street gangs, the two blocs have displayed military and political prowess, while being accused of vast human rights abuses.
—Tom O'Connor, Newsweek, 28 Dec. 2024
Any potential reorganization of trade blocs would be disastrous for China’s ability to expand to foreign markets, especially at a time when its tech giants are relying on overseas growth to compensate for the structural decline of the domestic economy.
—Reva Goujon, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2024
This is before factoring in the effects on the economy and any retaliatory actions by trade partners, including other countries and trade blocs like the EU.
—Dearbea Walker, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
The agreement, which is designed to facilitate trade between the two blocs by lowering tariffs on a range of products, now needs the approval of EU Parliament and a qualified majority of 15 member states.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Yes, Republicans are doing a bit better among some core Democratic voting blocs.
—Todd Eberly, Baltimore Sun, 21 Dec. 2024
These challenges came from autocratic populists within liberal democracies as well as from blocs of countries that offered an alternative to American hegemony.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2024
Over the past two decades, however, intense partisanship, regional political blocs, voter suppression efforts, and new media have produced a quarter-century of close, volatile elections— much like in the Gilded Age.
—Bruce J. Schulman / Made By History, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocs
Noun
-
Hezbollah was one of several Axis of Resistance factions to intervene on behalf of the Palestinian movement after its October 7, 2023, attack against Israel that sparked the still-ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
-
As such, asked for a message to send to the president, as a number of other Axis of Resistance factions have shared with Newsweek in the past, Uli al-Baas declined, citing a gap between the White House and its constituency.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Because of their mission and non-partisan nature, EDOs are in a strong position to assemble coalitions around specific opportunities.—
Jenna Saucedo-Herrera,
Forbes,
27 Dec. 2024
-
Throughout Germany, where the AfD has placed highly in state elections, the other parties have generally refused to form coalitions with it.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The latest developments have once again demonstrated the shifting alliances of Syria's multisided civil war that has been subject to competing geopolitical interests among foreign powers.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
-
This isolation forces unusual alliances between factions that would normally be at war with one another.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Both unions are working to raise public awareness of their struggles and to compel their employers to engage in discussions about fair compensation and labor practices.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Employees organized at bookstores, where unions are rare, and were successful with campaigns at some stores run by Apple, Trader Joe's and the outdoor equipment company REI.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Blocs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocs. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share