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
The administration has joined the Magnificent Seven tech companies, which wield greater power than most nation-states, in fighting regulatory control of artificial intelligence.
—
Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Now, nation-states are beginning to dominate the sector, moving hundreds of millions or even billions in funds obtained through hacking or fraud.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Now nation-states were claiming it for themselves, through the machines and people fueling their economies.
—Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
Its central contention is that the world is a better place when it’s composed of distinct nation-states, each with its own individual culture and history; such societies are more stable, and achieve more, and make unique contributions to humanity as a whole.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
Tech giants and nation-states are investing heavily in neuromorphic chips.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
And there were many others in the floundering nation-states of Asia and Africa who succumbed to the American ideology of individual aggrandizement and self-cherishing.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
This coalition was established in 2001 around the China-Russia axis to create cohesion and coordination among broadly congenial nation-states.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
In states of war and other political conflicts, nation-states and their hacktivist allies often target those on the opposing side.
—Carlos Morales, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Max Hastings, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2026
Now, nation-states are beginning to dominate the sector, moving hundreds of millions or even billions in funds obtained through hacking or fraud.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Now nation-states were claiming it for themselves, through the machines and people fueling their economies.
—Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025
Its central contention is that the world is a better place when it’s composed of distinct nation-states, each with its own individual culture and history; such societies are more stable, and achieve more, and make unique contributions to humanity as a whole.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 22 Nov. 2025
Tech giants and nation-states are investing heavily in neuromorphic chips.
—Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
And there were many others in the floundering nation-states of Asia and Africa who succumbed to the American ideology of individual aggrandizement and self-cherishing.
—Pankaj Mishra, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
This coalition was established in 2001 around the China-Russia axis to create cohesion and coordination among broadly congenial nation-states.
—Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
In states of war and other political conflicts, nation-states and their hacktivist allies often target those on the opposing side.
—Carlos Morales, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nation-states
Noun
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Its concept has drawn scorn from European partner nations and recent objection from some GOP members in Congress.—
Kevin Fixler
January 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Long-term projections suggest demographic tipping points in major cities and even nations, altering cultural landscapes and potentially alliance dynamics.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The early Iron Age kingdoms of Neo-Assyria, Egypt, Israel and Judah, and their relationship to the Phoenician cities, underlie our understanding of these events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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From enchanted kingdoms to the streets of today, members of the Art Directors Guild craft the environments that bring film, television, and theater to life.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Several countries that once abolished their monarchies—including Spain, Cambodia, and Britain (under Oliver Cromwell)—later restored them as constitutional monarchies.—
Karim Sadjadpour,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2026
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First, that monarchies are inherently corrupt.—
Dan Snyder,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Regents or viceroys hearken back to royalty and empires, and that’s not the look Trump is going for here—at least for now.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
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At stake is the future of one of the most storied media empires in the United States.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nation-states.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nation-states. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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