states 1 of 2

Definition of statesnext
plural of state

states

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of state
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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 states
Noun
Mergers might encourage other states to offer similar programs as a way of funnelling more students into struggling four-year campuses. Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 19 May 2026 The grid of international borders must therefore be ever more militarized, or else the system of states—which is now explicitly a class system, whose functioning depends on mass immobilization—cannot work. Literary Hub, 18 May 2026 Democrats have threatened to do the same in blue states. Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026 Several states in the South have shot upward on the list — a surge widely attributed to a focus on the science of reading, a body of research associated with literacy instruction focused on small letter sounds. Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 The Outsiders has played 746 performances to date to over 770,000 audience members from all 50 states and over 75 countries, producers say. Greg Evans, Deadline, 18 May 2026 The pandemic also played a part as parents chose charter schools or uprooted to other districts and states to find in-person learning. Stacker, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026 Bridge reporting in 2024 revealed that, unlike other states, Michigan was not tracking how local governments were spending what would eventually amount to more than $700 million. CBS News, 18 May 2026 Eight states have redrawn their congressional districts over the past year in search of a political edge. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 12 May 2026
Verb
Connelly still has a year left on his deal and repeatedly states his love for working for the Timberwolves. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 May 2026 The sheriff's office's report states that Boston made his way onto his neighbor's property by walking around a six-foot privacy fence that separates his property from his neighbor's. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 That alert states that the town is closing off public access to the roads around SpaceX's Starbase test site (which is near a public beach), from May 19 through the end of May 21, which suggests a potential back up launch day of at least May 21 is available. Mike Wall, Space.com, 19 May 2026 The release states the companies will also file for approvals from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the North Carolina Utilities Commission and the Public Service Commission of South Carolina. Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026 The officer then fired his gun, shooting Nahoolewa twice, the report states. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026 The swings have a black metal frame, black metal swing arms, a fabric canopy and a padded brown seat cushion, the report states. Greta Cross, USA Today, 18 May 2026 The jailbreak rule states that if a team that’s killing a minor penalty scores a shorthanded goal, its player may leave the penalty box, and play reverts to 5-on-5. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 The company states the vehicle weighs about 1102 pounds (500 kilograms) with a passenger on board. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for states
Noun
  • Additionally, a study of 39 participant groups in 15 countries showed that people experience the same rhythm differently depending on the culture in which they’ve been immersed.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • Of the 51 countries that have earned Blue Flag designations this year, only a few are in Asia.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Bianco says the probe is a fact‑finding effort to ensure election integrity, not a criminal case.
    James Ward, USA Today, 15 May 2026
  • The complaint says the parents were told the injury was caused by normal toddler play.
    Lina Ruiz May 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • In it, Martin, who is curating the show, tells Elmo of the significance of the performance — and gets some help choosing the performers.
    Phil Helsel, NBC news, 14 May 2026
  • Turner tells him the story is already filed with the press.
    Paul Fitzgerald, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Kravitz voices Bawma, a Pirate King-type antagonist built specifically for this game rather than pulled from the existing Bond film catalog.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • MacFarlane voices Stewie and will executive-produce for Fuzzy Door.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Before the war, around 20% of the world's crude oil supply, from Persian Gulf nations, was typically carried through the strait by tanker to reach Asia and elsewhere.
    May 19, CBS News, 19 May 2026
  • Meanwhile, nations have already begun deploying OFPV systems on reservoirs, lakes, as well as offshore waters to avoid competing with agriculture or urban development.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Victoria Frenner, who is a therapist, expresses skepticism about the book’s punchy tone.
    Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026
  • Bryl has built a beauty career over the past four decades based on accuracy, discretion, and the belief that beauty, at its best, expresses presence rather than perfection.
    Jordan French, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Yet Cornelius Krull, the patriarch, speaks only a German dialect and never utters more than two words.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026
  • The phrase also sometimes is used as a battle cry and has been employed by those with a nefarious agenda to instill fear of anyone who utters it and to raise concerns about Islam itself, according to Muslim scholars and civil rights advocates.
    Michelle Krupa, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Opportunities to attend the Rolling Stone Residency will be available to Rolling Stone Readers as well as for redemption through SkyMiles Experiences, Delta’s platform that gives its loyalty Members access to once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2026
  • The design also gives Reebok a baseline to grow from.
    Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“States.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/states. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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