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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Recent Examples of republic
The administration was testing how far the boundaries of a constitutional republic could be pushed — and who would object.
—
Yohuru Williams, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thinking ahead about unusual challenges that might arise in close and consequential contests makes everyone better prepared for the hard work of maintaining a healthy democratic republic.
—Robert A. Strong, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
The defense lawyers say her birth certificate can’t be authenticated because it was issued by a former Soviet republic that is now in a war zone.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
That is, the People's Republic of China, which is neither the people's, a republic, nor representing all of China.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Yohuru Williams, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Thinking ahead about unusual challenges that might arise in close and consequential contests makes everyone better prepared for the hard work of maintaining a healthy democratic republic.
—Robert A. Strong, Fortune, 20 Jan. 2026
The defense lawyers say her birth certificate can’t be authenticated because it was issued by a former Soviet republic that is now in a war zone.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
That is, the People's Republic of China, which is neither the people's, a republic, nor representing all of China.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
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During his 10 years in town, the Haitian-American scholar and civic leader — based at the LBJ School for Public Affairs — has written book after clarifying book on the intersection of race and democracy.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
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Rubio sat on the board of the International Republican Institute, which provided training to fledgling democracies, teaching candidates how to campaign and poll watchers how to observe elections.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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