city-state

noun

Definition of city-statenext
as in republic
a state that has its own government and consists of a city and the area around it the city-states of ancient Greece

Related Words

Relevance

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 city-state Athens was a belligerent city-state that fell victim to its own aggressions. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 The ultra-wealthy city-state of Monaco on the French Riviera is no stranger to luxury hotels—fellow grand dames Hôtel de Paris and Hermitage sit at the heart of the action around Casino Square—each vying to outdo the other with fancy arrivals and impeccably discreet service. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026 As conditions worsened, city-states fought over power and resources. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 As children, Vi and Jinx lose their parents in an abortive revolution in Zaun, and years later find themselves on opposite sides of an unfolding power struggle between the two city-states. — David Faris, TheWeek, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for city-state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for city-state
  1. republic
  2. kingdom
  3. nation
  4. empire
  5. country
  6. duchy
  7. commonwealth
  8. principality
Noun
  • Then, the entire Soviet Union disintegrated, with all 15 republics breaking away, but in a peaceful process that Gorbachev hoped would lead to the creation of new democracies across Europe and Asia.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • At least 13 people were killed, including a child, and 78 others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, authorities in the region said.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of republic
Noun
  • Houthi spokesman Nasruddin Amer said on X on Friday that the group will continue to target any Saudi buildups in an effort to lift the kingdom’s blockade on Yemen.
    — Fatma Khaled, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2026
  • In the fairytale, the princess flees to another kingdom for a while to get away from the misery brought on by her father, finding work as a commoner to conceal her identity.
    — Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • Michael Damianos said the East Mediterranean is fast becoming an alternative energy source for European nations as Russia’s war in Ukraine and upheaval in the Middle East compel the continent to seek out new sources.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Spain’s index score still falls within the upper echelons of an individualist culture, but is lower than some of its fellow major footballing nations, including France, Germany, Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and the Netherlands.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of nation
Noun
  • But his small empire of restaurants has been extinguished, one joint after another, as a plethora of problems struck.
    — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • This stands in stark contrast to a time when many wellness brands are rushing to become lifestyle empires almost overnight.
    — Karin Eldor, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of empire
Noun
  • Marina was adamant to the federal agents that her former husband could never have given secrets to another country.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Our country has used science to make society safer and healthier over time, improving lives, making jobs safer, and preventing early deaths.
    — Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • Louise Haigh will take on the role of Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, First Secretary of State and Cabinet Office Minister.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 July 2026
  • The duchy is overseen by a board of directors and major decisions must be approved by the Treasury.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026
Definition of duchy
Noun
  • According to the nonprofit Pennsylvania Head Start Association, the program serves more than 30,000 children in more than 800 classrooms and home visitation by nearly 10,000 staff in the commonwealth.
    — Lauren Linder, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The organization coordinated organ donations for nearly 7 million people, covering the entire commonwealth of Kentucky as well as counties in southern Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • And for her, the gala is much more than just a social event in the principality.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026
  • The June 30 attack deeply shook the discreet and ultra-wealthy principality on the Mediterranean coast.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
Definition of principality

Browse Nearby Words

city slickers
city-state
city-states
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/city-state. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on city-state

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about city-state

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of salvo

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All