Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

democracy

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of democracy

government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation

  • under our democracy the people have some control over their lives by being able to select their own political leaders
Synonyms of democracy

republic, self-government, self-rule
Words Related to democracy

pure democracy

home rule, self-determination

autonomy, sovereignty (also sovranty)
Near Antonyms of democracy

despotism, dictatorship, monarchy, monocracy, totalitarianism, tyranny

Learn More about democracy

  1. See words that rhyme with democracy Dictionary: Definition of democracy Spanish Central: Translation of democracy Nglish: Translation of democracy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of democracy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about democracy

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up democracy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

biannual

occurring twice a year or every two years

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. Spartan Red Cross Warns of Shelter Conditions

  2. hirsute RIP Burt Reynolds

  3. op-ed NYT Publishes Anonymous Piece

  4. collegiality Kavanaugh Mentions Word in Hearing

  5. mistrial Manafort Guilty on 8 Counts

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games