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

Synonyms & Similar 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 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
  • Anna’s colleague Noa Toussaint (CCH Pounder) follows with a video of Max coercing his mistress into suicide, shattering the narrative that bought his freedom.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Continue reading … POWER TRIP — Ex-Newsom mistress exposes wild affair step by step, reveals advice to stay quiet.
    , FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Noun
  • And even aside from those two big festivals, music lovers have even more excellent choices for live music that week.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • First of all, nature lovers take heart, because this millennium-old tree was not cut down just to make some whiskey.
    Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Concubine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concubine. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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