as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
when asked by a passerby what sort of government the constitutional convention had formulated for the new nation, Benjamin Franklin memorably replied, "A republic, if you can keep it"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 republic
America is about to turn 250 years old as a republic.
—
Gary Grasso,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
Amalfi Once the seat of a powerful maritime republic, Amalfi is still a hub for ferries and other boats arriving from Naples and elsewhere.
—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2026
But the bicentennial took place at a time when the moment of maximum danger for the republic seemed to have passed.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
Two countries that no longer exist—the republics of Ragusa and Venice—followed suit later that year.
—
Scott Spires Britannica Editors June 23,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Gary Grasso,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
Amalfi Once the seat of a powerful maritime republic, Amalfi is still a hub for ferries and other boats arriving from Naples and elsewhere.
—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
25 June 2026
But the bicentennial took place at a time when the moment of maximum danger for the republic seemed to have passed.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
Two countries that no longer exist—the republics of Ragusa and Venice—followed suit later that year.
—
Scott Spires Britannica Editors June 23,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
-
Divisions are part of the price of democracy, argued Lincoln author and University of Florida professor Allen Guelzo.
-
The birthright citizenship ruling was a win for democracy — and a warning about erasing history, argues columnist Anita Chabria.
Cite this Entry
“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
