1
as in homes
the land of one's birth, residence, or citizenship
a great love for my country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in states
a body of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government
usually in time of war, the whole country unites behind the president
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 countries
Four countries are making their World Cup debuts, including Curacao, population 155,000, the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament.
—
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Additionally, ballots and tally sheets must arrive in the capital, Lima, from 63 countries to be counted.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Siri pulled the schedule from the Internet, suggested dishes from the two countries that were playing the match, dug through the user’s Messages app history to find a mention of coconut cookies, drafted a text invitation featuring the party’s menu and prepared to send it to a group chat.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 9 June 2026
Over the weekend and into the early hours of Monday, the two countries exchanged their most intense fire seen since the fragile cease-fire came into play in April.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 June 2026
Sixty-three countries would need to support a measure to remove him.
—CBS News, 9 June 2026
But this group could now be expanded to include additional NATO countries in Europe, according to the Financial Times, which cited three people who had been briefed on the highly confidential discussions.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 June 2026
The World Health Organization has deftly handled attempts by countries to leave.
—Sam F. Halabi, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
For a couple of decades now, rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and self-harm have been rising sharply in countries throughout the West—and in people of all classes, races and educational levels.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Additionally, ballots and tally sheets must arrive in the capital, Lima, from 63 countries to be counted.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
Siri pulled the schedule from the Internet, suggested dishes from the two countries that were playing the match, dug through the user’s Messages app history to find a mention of coconut cookies, drafted a text invitation featuring the party’s menu and prepared to send it to a group chat.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 9 June 2026
Over the weekend and into the early hours of Monday, the two countries exchanged their most intense fire seen since the fragile cease-fire came into play in April.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 June 2026
Sixty-three countries would need to support a measure to remove him.
—CBS News, 9 June 2026
But this group could now be expanded to include additional NATO countries in Europe, according to the Financial Times, which cited three people who had been briefed on the highly confidential discussions.
—Dylan Butts, CNBC, 3 June 2026
The World Health Organization has deftly handled attempts by countries to leave.
—Sam F. Halabi, Washington Post, 3 June 2026
For a couple of decades now, rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and self-harm have been rising sharply in countries throughout the West—and in people of all classes, races and educational levels.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countries
Noun
-
Israel's campaign in Lebanon has killed thousands of people and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes, according to Reuters.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
The sale price is typical of the San Francisco housing market where bidding wars often lead to offers of millions more than the asking price in a city with a limited supply of single-family homes.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The additions build on the company’s network of more than 1,400 stores across eight states.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
California is one of 14 states that allow ballots that don’t arrive at local election offices until after Election Day to still be counted as long as they’re postmarked by Election Day.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Hawaii's governor and attorney general vowed to fight the lawsuit against Hawaiian homelands eligibility.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
-
The attacks Pontiac led in 1763—most of them successful-showed the hopes that thousands of people had to force the British out of their beloved homelands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
-
That’s 60 percent from the Kansas City area, 40 percent from outside the region, and 15 percent of those from other nations.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countries. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
