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monarchy

noun

Definition of monarchynext
1
as in monarchism
a system of government in which there is only one ruler whose power is unlimited Under a monarchy, the position of ruler is often passed down from parent to child.

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2
as in democracy
a group of people who live in a territory ruled by a single person The country was formerly a monarchy, but has now transitioned to a republic.

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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 monarchy The scandals involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have undermined the reputation of the monarchy, and the King, still receiving cancer treatment, needs family support as never before. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026 The Norwegian royal family also has close ties to the British monarchy. — Emma Kershaw, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026 Over the last six years, the pair have made a series of explosive allegations about what life was like inside the monarchy, much to the dismay of many members of the British royal family. — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 But what is essential is that the king accepts that the Waleses and their children are the future of the monarchy. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monarchy
  1. monarchism
  2. democracy
  3. republic
  4. dictatorship
  5. sovereign
  6. kingdom
  7. commonwealth
  8. nation
Noun
  • 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, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2022
Definition of monarchism
Noun
  • Of course, democracy is not a sufficient condition for disarmament, much less abolition.
    — Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The political climate that culminated in the 1940 Constitution was embraced by much of Cuba’s artistic and intellectual community as part of a broader quest for democracy and modernization.
    — Dennys Matos, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of democracy
Noun
  • Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced plans to sever ties with the British crown and transform his country into a republic.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The weaponization and deconstruction of our institutions and republic are no laughing matter.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of republic
Noun
  • In 1982, Argentina’s then-military dictatorship invaded the Falklands.
    — Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In 1982, Argentina's then-military dictatorship invaded the Falklands.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of dictatorship
Noun
  • The couple will remain non-working royals and will not be carrying out any official royal engagements on behalf of the sovereign, the document said.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The former sovereign, 86, who abdicated the throne in 2024, was instead represented by her son and successor, King Frederik, his wife, Queen Mary, his son and heir, Crown Prince Christian, and Queen Margrethe’s younger sister, Princess Benedikte.
    — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of sovereign
Noun
  • In the days since, a flood of deals have been announced to bring Chinese robotaxis, laptops, AI models, and data centers to the kingdom — while putting the competition for tech dominance between China and the US into stark relief.
    — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The king arbitrarily gives up his power and divides his kingdom among his children.
    — Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • The order comes as groups across the commonwealth are recognizing the 25th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City, which killed 2,977 people.
    — Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Shortly after her arrival at her grandmother’s, in 1900, Australia transforms from six British colonies into a single, largely self-governing commonwealth.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • The exact circumstances in each nation differ, but vaccination gaps are a common thread, leading some experts to question if more catastrophic measles outbreaks are around the corner.
    — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Yet at an event on Thursday, Huang displayed unwavering confidence, projecting that Nvidia's chip sales will double next year as nations and corporations continue scaling up AI investments.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of nation

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monarchs
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monasteries
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Cite this Entry

“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monarchy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monarchy

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