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nation-states

noun

plural of nation-state
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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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-states After they were replaced by oligarchs, along came nation-states and sovereign wealth funds. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The question of Kashmir has shaped the trajectories of India and Pakistan since the end of British rule and their birth as nation-states in August 1947. — Aqil Shah, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 Europe could revert to a collection of nation-states ruled by illiberal nationalist governments content to accommodate Civilizational America. — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Terrorists, criminal organizations, hostile nation-states, and sophisticated cybercriminals can now move money across borders with unprecedented speed using cryptocurrency. — Mitchell Silber, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026 In the world of Berle and Means, firms operated mostly within the boundaries of nation-states. — Mary Johnstone-Louis, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026 During that conflict, their ancestral homes were nation-states. — Ibrahim Al-Marashi, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026 In the West, nation-states produced an astonishing expansion of equality, democracy and material security. — Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 The tradition endures even as most people quietly agree that art probably shouldn’t be co-opted by the agendas of nation-states. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nation-states
  1. nations
  2. kingdoms
  3. monarchies
  4. empires
Noun
  • Yet at an event on Thursday, Huang displayed unwavering confidence, projecting that Nvidia's chip sales will double next year as nations and corporations continue scaling up AI investments.
    — , CNBC, 18 Sep. 2026
  • One alternative is that disgruntled diplomacy among two nations (in the absence of a recession) will only make sports fans clutch their hockey entertainment (and maybe equipment) more closely.
    — Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of nations
Noun
  • Oyo, crowned at age 3 and celebrated worldwide as a child monarch, is being mourned by tens of thousands in a remote border city, underscoring the enduring influence of Uganda’s traditional kingdoms.
    — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Because Italy remained politically divided, its various kingdoms, republics, and territories continued to develop distinct regional culinary traditions.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of kingdoms
Noun
  • 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
  • Unlike other European monarchies, the constitution allows the ruling prince to dismiss governments, appoint judges, call referendums and veto legislation.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of monarchies
Noun
  • Three years ago, FSU was undefeated, Travis was its heartbeat and Norvell appeared to have resurrected one of college football’s great empires.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026
  • These luxury houses increasingly resemble sports franchises, with star designers traded, poached, and recruited across warring corporate empires.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of empires

Browse Nearby Words

nation-state
nation-states
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Cite this Entry

“Nation-states.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nation-states. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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