1
as in countries
a body of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government
the American people became one nation when they adopted the Constitution in 1789
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in nationalities
a people having a common language, culture, and body of traditions
an international organization dedicated to upholding the basic human rights of people from all nations
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 nations
China and India gained early access to Russian crude and maintain strategic reserves, while the opportunity for other nations to buy is rapidly shrinking.
—
Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Ten nations, including K-pop giant South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia and Laos are set to compete in the inaugural competition, with more participants to be announced in the coming months, according to the contest’s website.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Gulf nations are highly reliant on desalination for fresh water, and damage to the region’s hundreds of plants could render its major cities unlivable, The Associated Press reported; attacks by any side could constitute war crimes.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The Paris Club, an informal forum of representatives from creditor countries largely in the Global North, has steered the destinies of nations in financial peril, restructuring over half a trillion dollars in sovereign debt since its first meeting in 1956.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Albert Samaha reports on what that means for the athletes, and their fans, from Haiti, Iran, and other nations.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Trump has yet to call on Gulf nations to take part in offensive operations.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Reserves open in effort to cut prices In a search for some relief, the International Energy Agency pledged to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles of member nations.
—David Schutz, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
In a search for some relief, the International Energy Agency has pledged to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles of member nations.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Anton L. Delgado, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Ten nations, including K-pop giant South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia and Laos are set to compete in the inaugural competition, with more participants to be announced in the coming months, according to the contest’s website.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
Gulf nations are highly reliant on desalination for fresh water, and damage to the region’s hundreds of plants could render its major cities unlivable, The Associated Press reported; attacks by any side could constitute war crimes.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The Paris Club, an informal forum of representatives from creditor countries largely in the Global North, has steered the destinies of nations in financial peril, restructuring over half a trillion dollars in sovereign debt since its first meeting in 1956.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Albert Samaha reports on what that means for the athletes, and their fans, from Haiti, Iran, and other nations.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026
Trump has yet to call on Gulf nations to take part in offensive operations.
—Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Reserves open in effort to cut prices In a search for some relief, the International Energy Agency pledged to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles of member nations.
—David Schutz, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
In a search for some relief, the International Energy Agency has pledged to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles of member nations.
—Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nations
Noun
-
This is true, at least, in more than eighty-five countries around the world.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
At the latter stages of the transition, aging richer countries now require workers from overseas – but are coming up against a nativist backlash.—
John Rennie Short,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Though Cuban officials initially identified all the men as Cuban nationals, the island’s government typically does not recognize dual nationalities and treats anyone born in Cuba as a Cuban citizen.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Its Ten-Point Plan calls for a secular democratic republic, a non-nuclear Iran, gender equality, separation of religion and state, a free-market economy, peaceful coexistence with the world, and recognition of the rights of Iran’s diverse nationalities within a unified country.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Frankenburg has seen commercial conversations with Gulf states speed up since the onset of the Iran war, CEO Kusti Salm told CNBC.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But Mabrey says other states have similar laws and hospitals are still in business.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Since 2024, the production has tapped a revolving door of actors across genders and ethnicities to play consequential American icons, with stars including Jinkx Monsoon, Kumail Nanjiani, Tituss Burgess and Conrad Ricamora.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Models were tasked with changing their ethnicities with makeup and hairstyling for more than one challenge, as though even the reality of their biology could be altered with the right level of commitment.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
From the looks of it, white guys are doing quite well in the front office of a league where 70% of the players are minorities.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Most Muslim majority counties have laws that reference shaira, and some countries’ have laws that critics say include cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities, per the council.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland The rugged coastline of County Clare served as a dramatic setting in Harry Potter, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way has doubled as everything from fantasy kingdoms to period dramas.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Mar. 2026
-
That’s County Clare’s rugged coastline, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way has doubled as everything from fantasy kingdoms to period dramas.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Behind driver Tyler Reddick, 23XI won four of the first six races, months after MJ settled his lawsuit with NASCAR regarding a challenge to the racing circuit’s charter system.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Small shifts in persuasion matter, particularly when races are close.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nations. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
