as in cities
a thickly settled, highly populated area
a big, teeming metropolis where ambitious people from all over come to make their mark
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of metropolises
The small city of Sausalito, California, promises a Mediterranean escape minutes from one of the nation’s biggest metropolises, San Francisco.
—
Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The fighting has grounded regional air traffic, threatened desalination facilities that provide drinking water to millions and undermined the safe reputation of modern metropolises such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE are, for all practical purposes, completely dependent on the desalination plants, particularly for metropolises such as Dubai.
—Javier Blas, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Crockett argued that Democrats need to focus on energizing their base, betting that motivated voters in metropolises like Houston and Dallas could swamp Republicans.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Even if that were true though, these localities — like those in other high-demand metropolises — could still build more housing vertically with tall apartment buildings.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
But in a region filled with metropolises worth the long haul, Bangkok's point of difference is found in the thrills of the unexpected.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
The buzzing underground networks are an important part of the modern, urban lifestyle in Canada’s coldest metropolises, and can be fascinating — and disorienting — for visitors.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Created by and starring Rachel Sennott, the series began at the top of November and follows a group of 20-somethings navigating their careers and social lives in one of America’s most challenging metropolises.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025
Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
The fighting has grounded regional air traffic, threatened desalination facilities that provide drinking water to millions and undermined the safe reputation of modern metropolises such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE are, for all practical purposes, completely dependent on the desalination plants, particularly for metropolises such as Dubai.
—Javier Blas, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
Crockett argued that Democrats need to focus on energizing their base, betting that motivated voters in metropolises like Houston and Dallas could swamp Republicans.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
Even if that were true though, these localities — like those in other high-demand metropolises — could still build more housing vertically with tall apartment buildings.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
But in a region filled with metropolises worth the long haul, Bangkok's point of difference is found in the thrills of the unexpected.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026
The buzzing underground networks are an important part of the modern, urban lifestyle in Canada’s coldest metropolises, and can be fascinating — and disorienting — for visitors.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Created by and starring Rachel Sennott, the series began at the top of November and follows a group of 20-somethings navigating their careers and social lives in one of America’s most challenging metropolises.
—Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for metropolises
Noun
-
This is an idyllic location for focusing on wellness and connecting with the people and land around you—especially as a pit stop in between the hustle and bustle of other lively Italian cities.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Some cities may cancel their tests if storms are nearby.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In Columbia — which houses the University of Missouri and, as is often the case with college towns, leans blue — the backlash started to hit home in 2020, Ross remembered.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Rand McNally Road Atlas and Vacation Guide -- The Essential Atlas-Guide to America’s Vacation Destinations -- lists in its index thousands of towns, villages and cities in the Western Hemisphere.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Metropolises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/metropolises. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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