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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The standoff may extend longer than other US-Latin America disputes, one expert noted: Brazil’s president may view the dispute as profitable politically, many Brazilians think the case could define the country’s democracy, and Brasília has little reason to capitulate quickly.—
semafor.com,
semafor.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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Our nation has morphed far beyond the republic that the founders initially imagined.—
Joanna Allhands,
AZCentral.com,
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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In Pennsylvania alone, more than 100 deaths have occurred at three dozen dams across the commonwealth, according to a study conducted by a team of researchers at Brigham Young University.—
Michele Haddon,
USA Today,
14 July 2025
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Crime in the commonwealth is on the low side despite its size.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
Noun
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At the end of Trump’s second term, perhaps the incoming president, whether a Republican or Democrat, might then be able to chip away at our subsidies and tariffs in coordination with the rest of world, find a path forward that works sufficiently well enough for all nations.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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Africa wants climate compensation, not loans The $1.3 trillion pledged by rich nations to the developing world to combat climate change should be in the form of compensation rather than loans, an African ministerial conference argued.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Monarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monarchy. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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