concubines

plural of concubine
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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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 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 Royal gardens, peeling frescoes, and tiled mosaics are breathtaking in their beauty, but the zenith of any visit is a wander through the sultan’s harem, once home to hundreds of concubines and their eunuch guards. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Dec. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concubines
Noun
  • In contrast, the four mistresses are often shot in close-up, and much of the film is dominated by Gong’s visage.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Most of Jack’s mistresses did not express much concern about Jackie.
    — Laurence Leamer, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Dylan’s sneer and Mick Ronson’s guitar jab like fingers in some intense argument, trying to win the pyrrhic victory of a lovers’ quarrel.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Now comes Netflix’s spin on the romantic comedy to end all romantic comedies, starring Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden as the characters at the center of literature’s original enemies-to-lovers trope.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Concubines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concubines. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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