1
as in monarchism
a system of government in which there is only one ruler whose power is unlimited
Under a monarchy, the position of ruler is often passed down from parent to child.
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2
as in democracy
a group of people who live in a territory ruled by a single person
The country was formerly a monarchy, but has now transitioned to a republic.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of monarchy
In later years, Washington's decision to not seek a third term was seen as a safeguard against the type of tyrannical power wielded by the British monarchy during the Colonial era.
—
Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
When placed alongside the loving games George and Dev play in bed, the rules of a hyper-wealthy figurehead monarchy certainly seem utterly perverse.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
The standoff encapsulates many of Thailand’s long-running political fissures: Shinawatra’s family has dominated its politics for decades, but has faced opposition from its powerful military, courts, and groups tied to the monarchy.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 as an alliance of the Gulf Arab monarchies in response to growing regional instability, including revolutionary Iran and the Iran-Iraq War.
—Dina Esfandiary, Time, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Allison Kiehl, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
When placed alongside the loving games George and Dev play in bed, the rules of a hyper-wealthy figurehead monarchy certainly seem utterly perverse.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 26 June 2025
The standoff encapsulates many of Thailand’s long-running political fissures: Shinawatra’s family has dominated its politics for decades, but has faced opposition from its powerful military, courts, and groups tied to the monarchy.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 as an alliance of the Gulf Arab monarchies in response to growing regional instability, including revolutionary Iran and the Iran-Iraq War.
—Dina Esfandiary, Time, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monarchy
Noun
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But a slave mentality remains deeply ingrained in Russian minds, along with a latent monarchism and paternalism.—
Nikita Petrov,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Dec. 2017
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But for anyone outside the British elite, the constitutional monarchism that emerged after the civil wars did not look much like democracy or true liberty.—
Andrew Cockburn,
Harper's Magazine,
20 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Aside from the most ardent Bolsonaro loyalists, Brazilians—regardless of ideology—don't take kindly to foreign leaders telling them how to run their democracy.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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These actions seek to undermine the very fabric of the democracy on which the Council of Europe and its member States are founded by their destruction of individual freedoms, their suppression of political liberties and their blatant disregard for the rule of law.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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From the Cossack republics of the 17th century to the Maidan uprising of 2014, Ukraine has consistently supported freedom and pluralism.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Charges of legislative graft are as old as the republic itself.—
Kevin R. Kosar,
The Washington Examiner,
4 July 2025
Noun
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During the dictatorship, blackouts were used to control people.—
Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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But if Trump’s Iran gamble turns out well and Iran’s theocratic dictatorship either crumbles or gives up its uranium enrichment program through diplomatic negotiations — a big if — Trump will be credited with having done something four previous presidents contemplated but ultimately failed to do.—
Andres Oppenheimer,
Miami Herald,
22 June 2025
Noun
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The situation is made more challenging by the fact that our taxpayer also functions as the head a foreign sovereign — the Holy See.—
Robert Goulder,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The address marks only the second time in Canadian history that the reigning sovereign has opened parliament, and the third time that the British monarch has delivered the Speech from the Throne.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
26 May 2025
Noun
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Because once somebody is in the kingdom, things can happen to them, and the Western press doesn't really know.—
Edward Felsenthal,
Time,
23 July 2025
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Over the same period, Saudi Arabia’s citizens gained visa-free access to four countries, bringing its total to 91 countries, which lifts the kingdom four places to No. 54.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Public broadcasting employees and advocates in the commonwealth have warned networks such as KET and the state's NPR stations are vital to keeping residents of rural Kentucky informed in emergency situations and provide other important local news coverage.—
Lucas Aulbach,
Louisville Courier Journal,
17 July 2025
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Editor's note: This is not a comprehensive list of every non-bourbon spirit made in Kentucky, but rather a list meant to show the variety of spirits available in the commonwealth.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
17 July 2025
Noun
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Adversarial nations and nefarious hackers are now using AI and MI to discern and exploit vulnerabilities in threat-detecting frameworks.—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Earlier this month, Trump also threatened to impose a 10 percent tariff on any countries aligned with the BRICS group of nations.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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