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 October, Mountbatten-Windsor was ordered to leave the sprawling 30-room Royal Lodge in the heart of the Crown’s Windsor Estate, just outside of London, after his brother King Charles III cast him out of the monarchy over the swirling Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
—
Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Unlike the monarchy's official residences, Balmoral Castle is private property, and therefore not the property of the Crown Estate.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Some people are interpreting this as a pointed allusion to Italians’ post–World War II rejection of the monarchy after its support for fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
An opinion poll published Wednesday by public broadcaster NRK suggested that 70% of those questioned support the monarchy, compared to 81% in 2017.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Max Foster, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
Unlike the monarchy's official residences, Balmoral Castle is private property, and therefore not the property of the Crown Estate.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026
Some people are interpreting this as a pointed allusion to Italians’ post–World War II rejection of the monarchy after its support for fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
An opinion poll published Wednesday by public broadcaster NRK suggested that 70% of those questioned support the monarchy, compared to 81% in 2017.
—CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for monarchy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monarchy
Noun
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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
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And the Decemberists tried to overthrow the Tsar and insist on having some of the more basic aspects of representative constitutional monarchism introduced into Russia.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
7 Dec. 2022
Noun
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The democracy advocate’s arrest and trial have raised concerns about the decline of press freedom in what was once an Asian bastion of media independence.—
Kanis Leung,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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And the essence of democracy — public debate over public policy — would be hollowed out entirely.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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For the past decade, Mia Mottley has steered Barbados from a former British colony that ditched the monarchy to a republic championing climate financing and debt reform for small island-states.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Voting is foundational to our republic; there is no good reason for 14 states not to require an ID to vote.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The royal government was also known as a dictatorship for banning political parties, suppressing revolts and political opposition, controlling the press and having its own secret police force called SAVAK.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Throughout, Hadi calls attention to the brutality that’s endemic in Iraqi daily life under a dictatorship.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Barrows manages the future sovereign's schedule, and accompanies her to the various appointments she is called upon to attend.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
31 Jan. 2026
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Calvin’s commentary emphasized clemency not only as a rational posture for a sovereign to adopt, but as a heroic virtue that is the essence of our common humanity.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday a major investment package in Syria spanning energy, aviation, real estate and telecommunications, as the kingdom positions itself as a leading backer of Syria’s new leadership.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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Since then, Mukaab, a massive cuboid building, has been cancelled elsewhere in the kingdom due to cost concerns.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There are currently two Eddie Bauer stores in the commonwealth.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
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This is also the difference between government and the larger idea of governance, which taps the energies and talents of whole communities for building the commonwealth, a reframing of democracy championed by groups like the Institute for Democracy in South Africa.—
Harry Boyte,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And measles isn't eliminated in this nation.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
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Once a child in the stands cheering on his countrymen in Brno, Dostál is now one of his nation’s top goalies, and leads a resurgence of Czech netminders across the NHL.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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