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
Iran is a theocratic republic rooted ideologically in Shiite Islam while Venezuela is a socialist and secular regime.
—
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Newsom’s words about federal duty — the reminder that the republic’s promises extend to every citizen — echoed but did not change the outcome.
—Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
It was treated as irrelevant, rather than as a co-equal branch entrusted with the gravest decision a republic can make.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Venezuela is a republic of around 30 million people on the northern coast of South America, about twice the size of California.
—James Trapani, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 7 Jan. 2026
Newsom’s words about federal duty — the reminder that the republic’s promises extend to every citizen — echoed but did not change the outcome.
—Jonathan Taplin, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2026
It was treated as irrelevant, rather than as a co-equal branch entrusted with the gravest decision a republic can make.
—Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026
Venezuela is a republic of around 30 million people on the northern coast of South America, about twice the size of California.
—James Trapani, Fortune, 6 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 16 Jan. 2026.
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