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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related 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 monarchy
There’s no doubt that the numerous scandals the former prince Andrew is embroiled in are not great for the British monarchy.
—
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 May 2026
British royal wedding rings have been crafted from rare Welsh gold since the Queen Mother’s 1923 wedding, creating one of the monarchy’s longest-running jewelry traditions.
—Eloise Moran, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The Dutch monarchy still reigns, the citizens remain Dutch nationals and the Netherlands government oversees defense and foreign affairs.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Paine was a republican who wanted the Americans to break free from the political bounds of Great Britain, from the tyranny of the monarchy.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 May 2026
British royal wedding rings have been crafted from rare Welsh gold since the Queen Mother’s 1923 wedding, creating one of the monarchy’s longest-running jewelry traditions.
—Eloise Moran, InStyle, 28 May 2026
The Dutch monarchy still reigns, the citizens remain Dutch nationals and the Netherlands government oversees defense and foreign affairs.
—ABC News, 26 May 2026
Paine was a republican who wanted the Americans to break free from the political bounds of Great Britain, from the tyranny of the monarchy.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monarchy
Noun
-
There is also a generalized suspicion of democracy, cities, modernization, progress, cultural relativism, and materialism in favor of monarchism, agrarianism, stasis, fantasies of good versus evil, and a traditionalism that at times borders on religious fundamentalism. ..—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
5 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Thomason called on Black Kansas Citians to galvanize their voting power around two issues core to the future of democracy in Missouri.—
Freddrell Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
-
The Catholic Church was a pillar of Franco’s dictatorship, and at least until the 1960s, the church enjoyed broad control and influence over Spanish society that waned after democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Grandmasters from Russia and other Soviet republics occupied the chess summit from 1927 to 2007 in a procession of world champions that was interrupted only briefly by Dutchman Max Euwe in the 1930s and American Bobby Fischer in the 1970s.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
-
The California republic lasted 25 days and was never recognized by another nation.—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Leo has been emphasizing a message of hope for youths in Spain, a once overwhelmingly Catholic country that experienced a religious crisis after its 20th century dictatorship ended and democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Portugal is a good example—after the dictatorship ended in 1974, there was a push to modernize, and many traditional crafts weren’t passed down.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
But a series of 15th century directives from the Vatican authorized Portuguese sovereigns to conquer Africa and the Americas and enslave non-Christians.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
The sovereign first wore her favorite crown on November 4, 1952, for the opening ceremony of parliament that year.—
Giorgia Olivieri,
Vanity Fair,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
That is a reflection of the kingdom’s shifting priorities and greater focus on bringing in foreign investors.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
7 June 2026
-
However, our sweet goddess planet will very soon venture into the kingdom of Leo from June 13 until July 9.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
The medical examiner's office and county police partnered with Othram in 2024 through a grant from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to use advanced DNA analysis on more than a dozen unidentified remains cases.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
-
Pennsylvania lawmakers will announce measures to restrict ICE activity in the commonwealth.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The Central Asian nation’s home base will be at Atlanta United’s training facility in Marietta.—
Amna Subhan,
AJC.com,
9 June 2026
-
The strongest quake to strike the Philippines this year was centered at sea about 8 miles southwest of General Santos, a city of more than 700,000 people that is a hub for tuna processing and other commerce in the southern Mindanao region of the archipelago nation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
