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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 distinction Camilla was concerned about was between the private family and the public monarchy. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2026 Their paths cross during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, and what begins as an unexpected romance develops into an impossible love that must navigate public scrutiny, royal tradition, and the expectations of the Swedish monarchy. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026 The series spans Brussels, Leopoldville, Rome and Madrid, connecting Belgium’s monarchy with Cold War geopolitics and Catholic influence. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 Middle Eastern and North African Queen Names The Middle East and North Africa boast a rich history of powerful queens spanning ancient Egypt to modern-day monarchies. — Liz Regalia, Parents, 9 Sep. 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
  • Here, Americans want to live in a democracy, not a dictatorship.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Starring Dominique Toney and Ignacyo Matynia, the series follows a retired Army First Sergeant who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy threatening American democracy.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of democracy
Noun
  • Because Charles remains Jamaica’s head of state, the island nation was able to directly petition him using an ancient legal mechanism that former colonies that have already transitioned to republics cannot access.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Beth Israel was a flagship of American Judaism, its origins stretching back to 1844, when Texas was still an independent republic.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of republic
Noun
  • The United Kingdom has controlled the Falklands since 1833, and fought a brief war over the islands in the early 1980s after the Argentine military dictatorship attempted to seize the territory by force.
    — Adrienne Vogt, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Here, Americans want to live in a democracy, not a dictatorship.
    — S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 23 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
  • Though Riyadh recently signed a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan and Türkiye, neither has been willing to deploy troops to help the kingdom, forcing Saudi Arabia to turn to European countries for assistance.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The kingdom’s crude shipments have recovered to the monthly average of 2025.
    — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • Prosecutors for the commonwealth of Massachusetts must now decide whether to retry Clancy.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Pennsylvania State Police held an event Thursday that had only been held one other time in the commonwealth, but on the other side of the state.
    — Josh Taylor, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • Achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand and the two countries can contribute to each other's success, thereby benefiting the wider world.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Sheinbaum confirmed the participation of the K-pop group in the bilateral meeting, which will primarily address topics such as trade and investment cooperation as well as the expansion of South Korean cultural content in the Latin American nation.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 24 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 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monarchy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monarchy

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