monogamy

noun

Definition of monogamynext
as in polygamy

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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 monogamy In the age of social media obsessions and waning monogamy, Basic is a ridiculously relatable laugh riot. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026 Biologists use the term serial monogamy to describe their mating pattern—short but exclusive partnerships that last only for a brief period. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026 The hierarchy of traditional monogamy became really blatantly clear that…something was broken there. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026 In the first decade of the 2000s, several groups developed device-independent quantum key distribution, a quantum cryptography procedure that depends on the monogamy of entanglement. — Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for monogamy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monogamy
  1. polygamy
  2. polygyny
  3. polyandry
  4. proposal
  5. engagement
  6. promise
  7. betrothal
  8. bigamy
Noun
  • Everyone’s favorite show about polygamy, Big Love, concluded its five-season run in 2011 with a major character death.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026
  • The fundamentalist group split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Mormons officially abandoned polygamy in 1890.
    — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of polygamy
Noun
  • In Queen Mother, Farmer takes a clear-eyed look at Moore’s foibles, noting her absenteeism during her son’s formative years, her embrace of patriarchal hierarchy in Black communities, and her exhortations for Black women to embrace polygyny to facilitate nation building.
    — Dara T. Mathis, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025
  • In short, there remain multiple ways polygyny can be harmful.
    — David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of polygyny
Noun
  • One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry.
    — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
  • For generations, anthropologists have argued whether humans are evolved for monogamy or some other mating system, such as polygyny, polyandry or promiscuity.
    — Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of polyandry
Noun
  • The new proposal for the future of the global commercial shipping route was first reported by The New York Times, citing an Iranian official and four diplomats with knowledge of the matter.
    — Abigail Williams, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Commissioner Lyle tried to delay the vote, but Commission President Dillon shot it down, saying the City-County Council was waiting on the proposal to be sent their way.
    — Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2026
Definition of proposal
Noun
  • Ashley Smith is the manager of player engagement for the NFL, and the siblings are close.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026
  • Swift and Kelce announced their engagement after two years of dating in a joint Instagram post last August.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
Definition of engagement
Noun
  • Eighteen years later, the promise of a Swiftian wedding is finally coming true.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 July 2026
  • The advertisement’s promise to hold data centers accountable was also extraordinary for another reason.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of promise
Noun
  • Singer Sam Smith is reportedly engaged to British designer Christian Cowan, according to a source who allegedly overheard the couple discussing their betrothal in the lobby of a Manhattan hotel.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • The pendant was believed to have been created in 1518 to celebrate the betrothal of Henry and Katherine’s daughter Mary to the French heir apparent.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of betrothal
Noun
  • Chen, who is currently being held on $100,000 bail in the Clark County Detention Center, has been charged with five felony counts of bigamy and two counts of intent to utter a fictitious bill/note/check, per FOX5.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
  • Fox News, Daily Mail and Christian Post reported that Williams was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of state from Rockdale County in Conyers, Georgia, tied to a bigamy charge.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of bigamy

Browse Nearby Words

monogamies
monogamy
monogram
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Cite this Entry

“Monogamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monogamy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on monogamy

Nglish: Translation of monogamy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monogamy

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