as in polygyny
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Recent Examples of polyandry
One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry.
—
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
For generations, anthropologists have argued whether humans are evolved for monogamy or some other mating system, such as polygyny, polyandry or promiscuity.
—Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Seeking Brother Husband's Kenya gets real with a virtual stranger about her domestic arrangement in this Sunday's episode of the TLC polyandry series.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023
Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
For generations, anthropologists have argued whether humans are evolved for monogamy or some other mating system, such as polygyny, polyandry or promiscuity.
—Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Seeking Brother Husband's Kenya gets real with a virtual stranger about her domestic arrangement in this Sunday's episode of the TLC polyandry series.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polyandry
Noun
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In Queen Mother, Farmer takes a clear-eyed look at Moore’s foibles, noting her absenteeism during her son’s formative years, her embrace of patriarchal hierarchy in Black communities, and her exhortations for Black women to embrace polygyny to facilitate nation building.—
Dara T. Mathis,
The Atlantic,
16 Dec. 2025
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In short, there remain multiple ways polygyny can be harmful.—
David W. Lawson,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Debuting on the network in 2010, four years after American culture became obsessed with polygamy thanks to HBO’s Big Love, the series has since gained a significant following and is still airing.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Dec. 2025
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The history of the thing is interesting but vague—a general shift towards monogamy started about three and a half million years ago, but most human societies (around 85% of them) have permitted polygamy too.—
Eva Wiseman,
Vogue,
23 Nov. 2025
Noun
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North Carolina classifies bigamy as a Class I felony, and the charge can result in imprisonment for anyone who knowingly marries while still legally married to another person.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Three wives in three counties may just be the start for a man facing felony bigamy charges in North Carolina, investigators say.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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China is set to have 200 million one-person households by the end of the decade, according to state media: Fertility rates are dropping, marriages are declining, and life expectancy is lengthening.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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Harrison has six children from his four previous marriages, including three stepdaughters.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This one seems to be monogamy, this one is, like, three or four baby mothers.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2026
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Sensing monogamy was not his jam, Davis agreed to try swinging.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The three couples — who have 179 years of matrimony between them — soon got together to see the dress, all those years later, and to pass it into Vanderpool's possession for the day her granddaughter gets married.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
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Isn’t the pledge of matrimony to be in a state of near-perpetual togetherness?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polyandry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polyandry. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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