state 1 of 2

noun

ˈstāt How to pronounce state (audio)
Definition of statenext
1
as in nation
a body of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government the British monarch is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of the government

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2
as in dignity
high position within society Sir Thomas More was accorded an execution befitting his state: a beheading and not the hanging that common criminals received

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

state

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to say
to convey in appropriate or telling terms please state the vehicle's mechanical problem as clearly and briefly as possible

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2
as in to utter
to express (a thought or emotion) in words "I believe this theory is wrong," she stated

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to voice
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) everyone has a right to state his or her opinion, no matter how unpopular it may be

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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 state
Noun
Bart Jansen The Supreme Court ruled that states can bar transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams, in one of the major cultural flashpoints before the court this term. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The suspect’s vehicle entered a closed roadway on Interstate 20 at the 420 exit near Aledo and struck an 18-wheeler, the release states. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Verb
In addition, the department is also experiencing improved officer retention, recruitment, youth engagement, and more, the report stated. — Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Noting that the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause explicitly states that the president cannot accept things of value from foreign or domestic governments, ethics experts say Trump is flouting the law and Congress has chosen to not enforce it. — Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for state
  1. nation
  2. dignity
  3. say
  4. utter
  5. voice
  6. country
  7. rank
  8. express
Noun
  • Some two dozen nations have sent some 3,000 emergency personnel to Venezuela.
    — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Both countries have stepped up efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold international law in the strait, including hosting a summit with 51 other nations in April.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of nation
Noun
  • Choung Wan, an emeritus professor at Seoul’s Kyung Hee University Law School, said laws are urgently needed to protect the dignity and other rights of the deceased.
    — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • But liberals should have confidence in meeting those fears with arguments about natural-law principles of equality and dignity underpinning our legal tradition.
    — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 2026
Definition of dignity
Verb
  • Sources told Rolling Stone that Stevie Nicks, a longtime friend of Swift, will be present at the ceremony — and another said that the singer-songwriter would perform on the special day.
    — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • In a press release, Bonta reiterated his commitment to combating hate in California, and said the data obtained are accessible and critical to stopping such crimes in the state.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • Throughout the entire event, Dylan’s name was never uttered once.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2026
  • All season, Shamea and Porsha have circled each other, barely uttering a direct word, but the tensions seep to the rest of the group, trickling into every interaction.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of utter
Verb
  • Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
    — Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Just minutes after Trump’s decision to nix the signing ceremony, Thune sat for an exclusive interview with the Washington Examiner and voiced some displeasure with the president’s decision, given the bipartisan nature of the bill.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
Definition of voice
Noun
  • Like previous host countries, Turkey is likely to use the summit to put its own security concerns and defense industry on the agenda.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • And, in a country struck by tragedy, this loss felt close to home.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin rank among the states with the most jackpot-winning tickets.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Over the next couple of decades, Saez advanced through the ranks of the bank and played a key role in integrating systems when SunTrust merged with BB&T in 2019 to form Truist Bank.
    — Kelly Yamanouchi, AJC.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Witnesses expressed shock over the incident, with one man arriving to his Walmart to shop and finding the parking lot covered in crime scene tape.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • The daycare later released a statement expressing condolences and pledging support for the family.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of express

Browse Nearby Words

stasis
state
state's evidence
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Cite this Entry

“State.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/state. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on state

Nglish: Translation of state for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about state

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