confederation

noun

kən-ˌfe-də-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce confederation (audio)
Definition of confederationnext
1
as in confederacy
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection the smaller nations were forced to form a confederation out of self-defense

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2
as in association
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters) the big-budget movie was produced by the studio in confederation with another in order to lower the risk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 confederation Defeats The 2026 World Cup marks the first time Oceania’s confederation has received an automatic berth into the tournament, effectively handing New Zealand a free pass into the tournament. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Greenland operates under Danish self rule, while Nunavut remains a territory within the Canadian confederation. — Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026 Chosen from all six confederations and across 50 FIFA member associations, the 170-strong refereeing contingent – featuring six women – is the largest roster of officials in tournament history. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026 Blatter often had to yield to lesser chiefs, such as the heads of the continental confederations, in order to maintain his grip on power. — Sam Knight, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for confederation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confederation
  1. confederacy
  2. association
  3. federation
  4. partnership
  5. coalition
  6. collaboration
  7. union
  8. relationship
Noun
  • July 4 birthed independence but also a dysfunctional confederacy.
    — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • The headstone, a memorial to texans who served the confederacy, was erected in 1964, which is to say the state missed the hundred-year anniversary of the battle itself but did remember to put it up in the year that Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
    — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of confederacy
Noun
  • As a longtime resident near the property, Van Sistine serves as Board Chair of the neighborhood association Ballpark Collective RNO and played a key role in establishing the Ballpark General Improvement District.
    — Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 9 July 2026
  • Homeowners agreed to pool those funds through their homeowners association so the road could be rebuilt.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026
Definition of association
Noun
  • Their sustained success isn't just a golden generation, but the culmination of a two-decade-long federation strategy.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • Of the federation’s $264 million in revenue last year, $50 million came from donations, more than half of it restricted in how it could be spent.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 July 2026
Definition of federation
Noun
  • The standard of excellence the school represents in all aspects of formation and education will only improve as a result of this partnership.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • Food and beverage options result from a partnership with Paris Society, a luxury French hospitality company that works with groups worldwide to give them high-end culinary offerings.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of partnership
Noun
  • In a letter to SANDAG, a coalition of pro-development and transit groups have called on the agency to follow state guidance to include Solana Beach in the map and expand upzoning around Oceanside’s Transit Center.
    — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • Whitmer's office did not immediately provide a response to NPR about that letter, or the letter from the coalition of organizations.
    — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 11 July 2026
Definition of coalition
Noun
  • Air Force partnership expands The award extends Asylon’s collaboration with the Air Force beyond autonomous security operations, an area where its robotic platforms already support active missions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
  • Danish jewelry giant Pandora introduced a creative platform in collaboration with British stylist Harry Lambert, called Pandora Wonders.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
Definition of collaboration
Noun
  • They were filled with protesters — including outraged members of a teachers’ union and relatives of kidnapping victims — as well as fans skeptical of a team that, four years earlier, posted its worst World Cup performance since 1978.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • The union says it’s already made concessions at the bargaining table but with little offered in return to improve current conditions and wages.
    — Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of union
Noun
  • Sanz appeared in seven episodes of the Emmy-winning show, which chronicled her life as an adult with Down syndrome, including her relationship with husband, Angel.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • The plants and animals Williford’s ancestors held relationships with became strangers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of relationship

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confederating
confederation
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Cite this Entry

“Confederation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confederation. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on confederation

Nglish: Translation of confederation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confederation

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