as in polyamory
the state or practice of being married to more than one person at the same time
Some cultures practice polygamy.
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Recent Examples of polygamy
Some people still believe, incorrectly, the church encourages polygamy.
—
Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
They were settled by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who were known for practicing polygamy.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025
The town is notably known for its connection with Mormon fundamentalism and polygamy, along with the neighboring city of Hildale, Utah.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abandoned polygamy in 1890 and strictly prohibits it today.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygamy
Dave Boucher, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
They were settled by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who were known for practicing polygamy.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 26 Sep. 2025
The town is notably known for its connection with Mormon fundamentalism and polygamy, along with the neighboring city of Hildale, Utah.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints abandoned polygamy in 1890 and strictly prohibits it today.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygamy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polygamy
Noun
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His father is a composer; his mother recently wrote a best-selling memoir about polyamory.—
The Editors,
Curbed,
15 Dec. 2025
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But the decree also comes amid a rise of polyamory in Western countries, which has generated pastoral and doctrinal questions for clergy and the faithful.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 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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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
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Polygamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polygamy. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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