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 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
Their two losses were a 127-76 blowout by the Americans in the semifinals and a 92-80 loss in the preliminary round to the Unified Team, which was a joint squad of athletes from 12 of the 15 former Soviet republics, including Russia.
—Alex Valdes, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
In November 2025, the Grammy-winning singer shared photos from the family's vacation to Barbados earlier in the year in honor of her home country's 59th year of independence and fourth year as a republic.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
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
Their two losses were a 127-76 blowout by the Americans in the semifinals and a 92-80 loss in the preliminary round to the Unified Team, which was a joint squad of athletes from 12 of the 15 former Soviet republics, including Russia.
—Alex Valdes, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
In November 2025, the Grammy-winning singer shared photos from the family's vacation to Barbados earlier in the year in honor of her home country's 59th year of independence and fourth year as a republic.
—Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
-
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 24 Jan. 2026.
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