Definition of republicnext
as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation when asked by a passerby what sort of government the constitutional convention had formulated for the new nation, Benjamin Franklin memorably replied, "A republic, if you can keep it"

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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 republic Including across the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish republic. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026 After the United States rejected (yet again) Vladimir Putin’s proposals for a new European security architecture in December 2021, and after the Ukrainian government ramped up its shelling of separatist forces, Putin responded by recognizing the breakaway republics in the Donbas. Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 9 June 2026 The Federalist advanced political science itself, changing the conception of what a republic was and could be. Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026 That’s how this republic is supposed to work. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
  • Migration remains divisive issue Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
    Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
  • The crowd was feeling good, if a bit sweaty — and a little in disbelief at the sight of a fighting ring next to one of the most hallowed symbols of American democracy.
    Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 15 June 2026

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“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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