as in republic
a state that has its own government and consists of a city and the area around it
the city-states of ancient Greece
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Recent Examples of city-state
When Singapore gained independence in 1965 after its separation from Malaysia, few expected the small city-state — which turns 60 on Saturday — to survive.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2025
The Southeast Asian city-state estimates that the surrounding seas could rise by 1.15 meters (3.8 feet) by the end of this century.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
In the fifth century BC, the Delian League of Greek city-states defeated the Persian Empire; in 1815, the Grand Alliance of Austria, the United Kingdom, Prussia, and Russia joined forces to vanquish Napoleon’s France.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
San Diego has all the ingredients to become a city-state in function, if not in law.
—John Eger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for city-state
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 8 Aug. 2025
The Southeast Asian city-state estimates that the surrounding seas could rise by 1.15 meters (3.8 feet) by the end of this century.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 23 July 2025
In the fifth century BC, the Delian League of Greek city-states defeated the Persian Empire; in 1815, the Grand Alliance of Austria, the United Kingdom, Prussia, and Russia joined forces to vanquish Napoleon’s France.
—Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025
San Diego has all the ingredients to become a city-state in function, if not in law.
—John Eger, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for city-state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for city-state
Noun
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If which of the two parties — which agree on about 80 percent of things — controls Congress is the question on which the future of the republic hangs, then the republic has no future.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
12 Sep. 2025
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In the early republic, even homicide could be absorbed into politics when cloaked in ritual.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But Danish colonial authority – now focused mainly on foreign, defense and economic policy – is facing an unprecedented challenge, and the Scandinavian kingdom is at pains to underline and maintain its military control.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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Thumbs-up, hearts, comments and views are the currency of his kingdom.—
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez,
The Dial,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Israel, a nation which Kirk was a vocal supporter of, has also emerged as a flashpoint following his death.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Sep. 2025
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The deal will make Thailand the sixth Southeast Asian nation to possess submarines, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam, according to Asian Military Review.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In Season 2, Kimmie, a former stripper who became entangled in the wealthy Bellaire family, now serves as COO of their cosmetics empire.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Drawing on his extensive study of history, which spans 500 years and covers the rise and fall of empires, Dalio sees a historical precedent for such transformative shifts.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Refugeoly is designed to navigate your way from a country in conflict to a country that grants you asylum, essentially a new home.—
Lisa Deaderick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
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The outpouring of support for Qatar after Israel’s attack on a Hamas compound in Doha was notable, given that many of the same countries had embargoed it only a few years ago.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, the duchy passed on to Prince William when Charles became king on the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
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Known collectively as Hessians, since most Germans hired by London to fight in America came from Hesse-Kassel, this contingent was largely from the small, impoverished duchy of Brunswick, whose ruling family had intermarried with the British royal family.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission announced its finalists for a new commonwealth flag, but opposition is growing.—
Isabelle Friedman,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
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The University of Kentucky says there are about 60 types of mosquitoes that exist in the commonwealth, but not all of them transmit diseases.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Owned in majority by the government of the principality, the SBM counts LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton among its minority shareholders.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
9 Sep. 2025
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Locals will tell you September is the best month to visit the Riviera, and one of the principality’s top chefs, Marcel Ravin, is closing out the summer season in style with a dinner at Elsa at Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Monte-Carlo Beach.—
Lane Nieset,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/city-state. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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