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nation-state

noun

Definition of nation-statenext
as in nation
a form of political organization in which a group of people who share the same history, traditions, or language live in a particular area under one government the rise of European nation-states in the thirteenth century

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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 nation-state More often than not, the home users have no idea that their connections are being used to facilitate crime and occasionally even nation-state attacks. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 Vulnerabilities, tools and successful techniques spread rapidly throughout criminal and nation-state ecosystems, and AI will accelerate that learning considerably. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The national conservatives embrace Christian nationalism and seek to bulwark the homogeneous nation-state from threats from liberalism. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 After they were replaced by oligarchs, along came nation-states and sovereign wealth funds. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nation-state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nation-state
  1. nation
  2. kingdom
  3. empire
  4. monarchy
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
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
  • The golden era of global expansion that transformed H and M from a Swedish retailer into a global empire occurred under his leadership.
    — , CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Their growing West Village empire is sort of a Disneyland version of Jody Williams and Rita Sodi’s more understated but just as popular downtown kingdom.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of empire
Noun
  • 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, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • But the distinctive caps – among the most recognizable symbols of the British monarchy – have become increasingly contentious for their use of real bear fur.
    — James Frater, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of monarchy

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Nation-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nation-state. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nation-state

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nation-state

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