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 vote will determine the next prime minister and the makeup of the government, which will serve alongside a powerful monarchy that retains broad authority over strategic affairs. — Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026 Italy abolished its monarchy in 1946, voting to become a republic, according to the BBC. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 20 Sep. 2026 The native people of this region were not wiped out by smallpox and instead established an independent kingdom that blends a traditional monarchy with Catholicism, thanks to the efforts of some earlier missionaries. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 The distinction Camilla was concerned about was between the private family and the public monarchy. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 14 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
  • Mekela Panditharatne, senior counsel in the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice, warned that such conversations hold risks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The projects engage with such resonant themes as digital labor, bodily memory, virtual violence, and collective participation in democracies.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of democracy
Noun
  • Today, however, the twin-island republic is entering a new phase in which energy remains fundamental while investment, infrastructure development and diversification are becoming increasingly important.
    — Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Alexey Tsydenov, head of the neighboring Buryatia republic, publicly confirmed her death was linked to a plague infection before quietly editing his statement hours later to use more ambiguous phrasing.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of republic
Noun
  • Several of Flávio Bolsonaro’s proposals also warrant close scrutiny, including his pledge to rewrite Brazil’s 1988 Constitution, which marked the end of military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in the country.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In 1981, with the end of the civil-military dictatorship on the near horizon, Piero planned his return to Argentina, stopping in Uruguay first.
    — Humphrey Inzillo, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dictatorship
Noun
  • Only three African sovereigns hold investment grade ratings, according to a background note from the AU’s African Peer Review Mechanism (ARPM).
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Against encroaching social upheavals, the sovereign was resolutely the center of a mercantilist universe.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sovereign
Noun
  • The attack — the latest of several in the last week on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh — is expected to increase Saudi pressure on allies including the United States to provide military support for the kingdom.
    — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The attack — the latest of several in the past week on King Khalid International Airport that killed four people — is expected to increase Saudi pressure on allies including the United States to provide military support for the kingdom.
    — Samy Magdy, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • Months later, in July 2025, Shapiro announced Amazon would invest $20 billion in an AI buildout in Pennsylvania, the largest capital investment in the commonwealth’s history.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors for the commonwealth of Massachusetts must now decide whether to retry Clancy.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • Gone are the four nations, corresponding to the elements, who coexisted in harmony that was disrupted and then, episode by episode, restored.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Like many issues in public health, cost and red tape within the health care system are factors in our nation’s lack of progress.
    — Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 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 13 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monarchy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monarchy

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