as in polyamory
the state or practice of being married to more than one person at the same time
Some cultures practice polygamy.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 polygamy
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
Naturally, one is our next-door neighbor to the southeast — the one that handles polygamy laws sort of like traffic violations.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2025
His maternal grandmother raised him and his older brother, not entrusting them to one of his father’s three other wives (polygamy is common is South Sudanese culture).
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygamy
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
Naturally, one is our next-door neighbor to the southeast — the one that handles polygamy laws sort of like traffic violations.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2025
His maternal grandmother raised him and his older brother, not entrusting them to one of his father’s three other wives (polygamy is common is South Sudanese culture).
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polygamy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for polygamy
Noun
-
Some surveys suggest that Gen Z is kinkier than older people, and particularly open to polyamory.—
Molly Langmuir,
The Atlantic,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Importantly, Miller says monkey barring is fundamentally different from polyamory — while the latter refers to loving multiple people at once and requires the consent of everyone involved, the former is arguably a form of infidelity.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
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
-
For generations, anthropologists have argued whether humans are evolved for monogamy or some other mating system, such as polygyny, polyandry or promiscuity.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Polygamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polygamy. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share