as in nations
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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Recent Examples of nation-states
While these capabilities are intended to help companies detect and fix flaws, they could also be weaponized by hackers, including nation-states, to find and exploit vulnerabilities.
—
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Today, the self-congratulation of white liberals has been displaced by white-supremacist promoters of Western civilization who don’t merely posit but brutally enforce inequality between races, peoples, cultures, and nation-states.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
These brave souls forged new frontiers for nation-states and planted the right flag for posterity.
—S.c. Stuart, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
The United Nations, the World Trade Organization, NATO, and other post-war multilateral institutions are struggling for relevance as nation-states increasingly abandon the pursuit of the common good.
—Time, 26 Feb. 2026
If the most fervent believers are correct, AI might one day challenge the power and sovereignty of nation-states.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
With vehicles from nation-states like Russia and China, as well as private companies like Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Arianespace and others, launch costs are no longer prohibitive.
—Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
Srinivasan has also published a book arguing that such privatized, business-friendly enclaves will eventually surpass nation-states.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Organizations unintentionally create systemic weaknesses that adversaries, ranging from nation-states to hackers, are keen to exploit when privacy is neglected.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Today, the self-congratulation of white liberals has been displaced by white-supremacist promoters of Western civilization who don’t merely posit but brutally enforce inequality between races, peoples, cultures, and nation-states.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
These brave souls forged new frontiers for nation-states and planted the right flag for posterity.
—S.c. Stuart, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
The United Nations, the World Trade Organization, NATO, and other post-war multilateral institutions are struggling for relevance as nation-states increasingly abandon the pursuit of the common good.
—Time, 26 Feb. 2026
If the most fervent believers are correct, AI might one day challenge the power and sovereignty of nation-states.
—Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
With vehicles from nation-states like Russia and China, as well as private companies like Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Arianespace and others, launch costs are no longer prohibitive.
—Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
Srinivasan has also published a book arguing that such privatized, business-friendly enclaves will eventually surpass nation-states.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
Organizations unintentionally create systemic weaknesses that adversaries, ranging from nation-states to hackers, are keen to exploit when privacy is neglected.
—Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nation-states
Noun
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Xi said China and Russia need to use closer and stronger strategic collaboration to defend the legitimate interests of both nations and safeguard the unity of Global South countries, the state broadcaster CCTV reported.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Those have strengthened the arguments of nations that make the case for getting off the dollar.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The original Aegon was the first to unite the kingdoms of Westeros under one ruler.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
-
As in many kingdoms, behind every Mughal emperor, there sat a line of ambitious sons, extraordinary mothers, rival siblings, and occasionally some very inconvenient relatives.—
Tamanna Nangia,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The primary strategic target of the declaration was the Bourbon monarchies of France and Spain, Britain’s chief rivals.—
Christopher Magra,
The Conversation,
7 Apr. 2026
-
There are still a significant number of countries and smaller political units that retain monarchies, however.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And some have other, even more lucrative pieces of their empires, including merchandising, theme parks, hotels and cruise lines.—
Sarah Whitten,Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
13 Apr. 2026
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Situated at the crossroads of empires — from Persian and Roman to Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman — it has long been shaped by conquest and survival.—
Marlise Kast-Myers,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nation-states.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nation-states. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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