Definition of concubinenext
as in mistress
a female other than his wife with whom a married man has a continuing sexual relationship the offspring of one of the monarch's concubines

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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 concubine Experts say the system had only previously worked with the help of concubines who, until about 100 years ago, produced half of the past emperors. — Arkansas Online, 2 Dec. 2025 In a 2021 interview, Ferguson told Vogue that her costumes—specifically the veils—are representative of Jessica’s complicated status as a concubine and a Bene Gesserit. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025 But experts say the male-only succession system is structurally flawed and only worked previously thanks to the help of concubines who, until about 100 years ago, produced imperial children. — Mari Yamaguchi, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025 Some of them were married (or given as concubines) to Inca nobles, others became priestesses, and some ended up as human sacrifices. — ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for concubine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concubine
Noun
  • Related Stories The centerpiece confrontation behind The Betrayers comes between Baruch Kotler, the politician played by Michael Aronov, who betrays his wife and daughter when his affair with his mistress, Leora, played by Kaelen Ohm, is exposed.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Fortune was a fickle mistress for the Buffs, who would have something good followed almost immediately by the unfortunate.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The photographic record shows Wong arm-in-arm with numerous admirers, many of whom were her lovers.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Llínas mugs the camera for laugh lines in the narration, rattles off a comically long list of Borges’ lovers, reveals halfway through that the score has been played, in part, off a toy xylophone.
    — Sam Bodrojan, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Concubine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concubine. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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