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"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 republic In 2002, the NCRI proposed the National Solidarity Plan, urging all political currents and groups to unite around three principles: regime overthrow, democratic republic, and secularism. Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025 In the long term, the collapse of that pillar of regime stability could weaken the edifice of the Islamic republic itself. The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025 In the early republic, communications were slow and military deployments took months. Scott Neuman, NPR, 23 June 2025 While Iran’s military capabilities have been degraded by punishing Israeli air strikes that began a week and a half ago, the Islamic republic was able to launch missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday. Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
  • Your bombastic attacks on the free press are, at best, unflattering — and at worst, undermine a core tenet of democracy.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
  • Mamdani has all but clinched the nomination after Cuomo conceded the race this week, and because of his Democratic Socialist label and controversial proposals, billionaires have rushed to paint the young politician as a threat to business, democracy, and the Democratic Party.
    Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on republic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!