as in republics
a state that has its own government and consists of a city and the area around it
the city-states of ancient Greece
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Recent Examples of city-states
Consequently, Persia abandoned its westward expansion, while various Greek city-states formed a tenuous alliance that lasted nearly 50 years.
—
Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for city-states
Noun
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America’s most steadfast allies in this bit of the 21st century are the Gulf monarchies, true and unapologetic kingdoms big on pomp and light on participation.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
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It was set so far after the different kingdoms, fiefdoms and ruling factions have grown.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Mullally also becomes the ceremonial head of some 85 million Anglicans worldwide, with the appointment of a woman risking deeper theological divides with some of the more conservative branches of the church in African nations.—
Muvija M,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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These services are typically underfunded by the government, even without a shutdown, and tribal nations have to supplement the services with their own revenues, largely from gaming.—
Frank Vaisvilas,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The robber barons and telecom wildcatters borrowed to build their empires, and dragged their financiers down with them when the music stopped.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
23 Sep. 2025
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All empires are transitory, right?—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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All of the Arab countries are signed up.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Back in Europe, regional leaders will converge in Copenhagen on Wednesday to discuss measures to bolster the continent’s security, following a recent spate of airspace incursions in countries including Denmark, Poland, Romania and Estonia.—
Tasmin Lockwood,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“City-states.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/city-states. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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