as in mistresses
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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Recent Examples of concubines
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concubines
Noun
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Providing relief and contrast are the sisters, daughters, mothers, wives, mistresses, and nursemaids, all of whom also have views on ideal social order.—
Adam Begley,
The Atlantic,
1 Dec. 2025
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His character, federal agent Nelson Van Alden, fathered two different children with two different mistresses.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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After all, when lovers of the cosmos come together in this Earth sign, tradition, courtship and long-term commitment take precedence over fleeting chemistry.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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The cafe’s signature coconut latte is a great way to beat the heat and a must for coconut lovers.—
Arundhati Hazra,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Concubines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concubines. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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