societies

noun

plural of society
1
as in organizations
a group of persons formally joined together for some common interest a debate society

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in civilizations
the way people live at a particular time and place a pre-automobile society in which ordinary people rarely strayed far from home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 societies The team from Germany, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland said analysis of hair in the royal tomb where cannabis seeds turned up, sheds new light on the plant's role in ancient societies. — Mary Evans, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2026 Yet demographic change can also create opportunities, especially in societies whose institutions can adapt and that can make the right technological investments. — Daron Acemoglu, Time, 7 Nov. 2026 Democratic societies are not doing enough to prevent the superrich from unduly influencing politics. — Daniel Waldenstrom, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026 The archaeologists found direct evidence of its use, gathered from a combination of seeds and human hair—together these provide new insights into ancient societies and their cultural legacies’ potential influence on our world today, experts say. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2026 The team from Germany, Russia, Sweden and Switzerland said analysis of hair in the royal tomb where cannabis seeds turned up sheds new light on the plant's role in ancient societies. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026 Both parties also offer a revealing snapshot of the societies that threw them. — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026 At a time of intense polarization, the boundaries of acceptable expression are becoming increasingly contested, just when many argue that societies most need the ability to hear opposing views. — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Nov. 2026 However, like many other coastal societies shaped by the migration and economics of Atlantic cod, Lofoten has been no stranger to ecosystem pressures over the decades, from shifting migration patterns to offshore fishing fleets. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for societies
  1. organizations
  2. civilizations
  3. institutions
  4. lifestyles
  5. associations
  6. cultures
  7. institutes
  8. brotherhoods
Noun
  • During his time in Mexico, federal prosecutors allege, Gomez acted as an intermediary supplier of narcotics to multiple drug organizations, including Wedding’s.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
  • Molly Allen told The Denver Post that her husband has been passionate about working with charitable organizations since entering the league, but the couple has also found community staples since arriving in Denver in 2023.
    — Sam Jane, Denver Post, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of organizations
Noun
  • The novels follow Cammie Skoura, a brilliant, neurodivergent young scientist aboard a deep-space expedition that uncovers a trail of ancient ruins and long-dead alien civilizations leading toward a mind-shattering discovery.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Instead of assuming that alien civilizations must communicate through elaborate messages, scientists could first look for signals whose patterns appear deliberately different from their natural surroundings.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of civilizations
Noun
  • The federal government must provide predictable visa processes, and research institutions must sustain international collaboration.
    — Carole LaBonne, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The growing cultural presence of the Indian-American community is also being reflected in the Bay Area's civic institutions.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of institutions
Noun
  • Named the happiest country in the world for the ninth consecutive year in a row, Finns are satisfied with their lifestyles firmly rooted in the outdoors, nature, and a slower pace of life.
    — Lola Akinmade, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • So Farm learned to translate its distinct cultural identity into winter collections better suited to the lifestyles of customers who weren’t all beach-going Cariocas.
    — Jess Joho, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of lifestyles
Noun
  • One interesting aspect of the law is that associations can impose aesthetic restrictions on energy-saving windows on association buildings that have more than 20 units but are not townhomes (residences attached side to side).
    — Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • He is expected to get support from some Southeast Asian countries and European associations critical of incumbent Gianni Infantino.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of associations
Noun
  • Vishal hopes his daughter will grow up appreciating both cultures, with celebrations like these helping keep her family's heritage alive.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Despite its fragmented markets and myriad of cultures and spoken languages, Asia is becoming an increasingly popular home for budding tech and AI entrepreneurs, according to Magnus Grimeland, the founder and CEO of venture capital firm Antler.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of cultures
Noun
  • Unlike the institutes on the Chronicle’s list, the group didn’t have to build anything around Scott’s name.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) launched ‘Hangang’, the nation’s sixth supercomputer at a ceremony attended by over 200 members from academia, research institutes and industry at its headquarters in Daejeon.
    — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of institutes
Noun
  • The most recognizable are Semana Santa, or Holy Week, processions during the final week of Lent where brotherhoods and robed penitents parade ornate statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary through cities, towns and villages alongside marching bands.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
  • The most recognizable are Holy Week processions during the final week of Lent where brotherhoods and robed penitents parade ornate statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary through cities, towns and villages alongside marching bands.
    — Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
Definition of brotherhoods

Browse Nearby Words

socials
societies
society
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Societies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/societies. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All