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
  • The ruling, the first of its kind under Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance, has raised alarms over freedom of association as authorities continue tightening controls after the 2019 democracy protests.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Their ideas on topics from education to energy could shape our democracy and even influence today’s decision makers.
    — USA TODAY Network Staff Reports, USA Today, 2 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
  • In Norway, the official duties of the sovereign are primarily ceremonial, but the monarch heads Council of State meetings on Fridays and formally opens the new session of the Norwegian Parliament each year.
    — James Frater, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Agnatic primogeniture, directly inherited from the Salic Law, stipulates that in the event of death or abdication, the sovereign’s closest male relative is called upon to ascend the throne.
    — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 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 Kentucky State Fair, at its center, is a showcase of the commonwealth's agriculture industry.
    — Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Aug. 2026
  • And that is our plan here in the commonwealth now with the strictest requirements in the entire country.
    — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • Its interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qa’eda militant who led the rebel offensive that overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has been struggling to rebuild a nation devastated by almost 14 years of civil war.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Asian food Lucknow is considered by many Indians as one of the country’s greatest culinary capitals, but beyond the South Asian nation’s borders, the city has remained largely absent from global conversations about food.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of nation

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Cite this Entry

“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monarchy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monarchy

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