as in monarchy
a system of government in which there is only one ruler whose power is unlimited
In the past, monarchism was the world's most common system of government.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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 monarchism
But for anyone outside the British elite, the constitutional monarchism that emerged after the civil wars did not look much like democracy or true liberty.
—
Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
And the Decemberists tried to overthrow the Tsar and insist on having some of the more basic aspects of representative constitutional monarchism introduced into Russia.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2022
King Charles can take strength from the inherent monarchism of the British people, which grew even stronger in the last two decades of Elizabeth’s reign.
—Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022
Yet, paradoxically, the regular waves of anti-monarchism were held at bay largely by the sheer, irrefutable fact of her continued existence.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2022
For in the dozen or so countries that make up South-East Asia, liberal democracy has long struggled in the face of authoritarianism, bolstered by monarchism, nationalism and ethnic chauvinism.
—The Economist, 24 May 2018
But a slave mentality remains deeply ingrained in Russian minds, along with a latent monarchism and paternalism.
—Nikita Petrov, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
The tsarist and Soviet styles collide; monarchism and elitism are imposed on the industrial, the everyday.
—Sophie Pinkham, New Republic, 3 July 2017
Now, Morocco and Jordan have toned down reformism and presented a new bottom line to their societies and the world: Ruling monarchism is here to stay.
—Sean Yom, Washington Post, 16 May 2017
Andrew Cockburn, Harper's Magazine, 20 Aug. 2024
And the Decemberists tried to overthrow the Tsar and insist on having some of the more basic aspects of representative constitutional monarchism introduced into Russia.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2022
King Charles can take strength from the inherent monarchism of the British people, which grew even stronger in the last two decades of Elizabeth’s reign.
—Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022
Yet, paradoxically, the regular waves of anti-monarchism were held at bay largely by the sheer, irrefutable fact of her continued existence.
—Vulture, 8 Sep. 2022
For in the dozen or so countries that make up South-East Asia, liberal democracy has long struggled in the face of authoritarianism, bolstered by monarchism, nationalism and ethnic chauvinism.
—The Economist, 24 May 2018
But a slave mentality remains deeply ingrained in Russian minds, along with a latent monarchism and paternalism.
—Nikita Petrov, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
The tsarist and Soviet styles collide; monarchism and elitism are imposed on the industrial, the everyday.
—Sophie Pinkham, New Republic, 3 July 2017
Now, Morocco and Jordan have toned down reformism and presented a new bottom line to their societies and the world: Ruling monarchism is here to stay.
—Sean Yom, Washington Post, 16 May 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monarchism
Noun
-
In the biggest scandal to rock Norway's monarchy, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit goes on trial Tuesday accused of raping four women, as well as drug and assault offenses.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Sophie’s appearance in a Victoria Beckham design landed at a delicate moment for the former Spice Girl and her family, who maintain longstanding ties to the monarchy.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Declaration of Independence was meant to signal the rejection of tyranny and the empowerment of the individual to resist undue coercion.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
-
History does not record many cases in which a power-mad leader careening toward tyranny suddenly regained his senses and became more moderate.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If all goes to hell and America devolves into a rank dictatorship, beware the bootlicker.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Edner migrated from Haiti in the late 1960s to escape the Duvalier dictatorship and build a better life for his four daughters and three sons.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Monarchism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchism. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
