city-state

noun

Definition of city-statenext
as in republic
a state that has its own government and consists of a city and the area around it the city-states of ancient Greece

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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 city-state Amina Formidable Queen Amina ruled the Hausa city-state of Zazzau (now in Nigeria) in the 16th century. — Liz Regalia, Parents, 9 Sep. 2026 This story covers a range of topics, including mall redevelopment, mansion sales, unaffordable housing and city-state litigation. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 7 Aug. 2026 Just as oil money transformed and modernized the Gulf into city-states of gleaming skyscrapers, centuries of wine money have polished this rural corner of Burgundy into an agri-luxury oasis. — George Nelson For Artnews, Robb Report, 9 July 2026 The joint city-state Bus Action Plan also commits the MTA to improving bus maintenance across the fleet. — Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for city-state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for city-state
  1. republic
  2. kingdom
  3. nation
  4. empire
  5. country
  6. duchy
  7. commonwealth
  8. principality
Noun
  • Locked in a war of attrition with the United States, the Islamic republic has clear objectives.
    — Reuel Marc Gerecht, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Preserving our constitutional republic from radical Islam means accepting the costs that come with it—name-calling, threats, and worse.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of republic
Noun
  • The result could spur a global scramble to pump more oil as quickly as possible, leaving the kingdom fighting to win back market share when the conflict ends amid a glut and lower prices.
    — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Undoubtedly, the biggest blow was the announcement that the kingdom is postponing its flagship investment conference, the Future Investment Initiative, until next year, although no exact date has been set.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of kingdom
Noun
  • Sectarian tensions and the disrupting force of the Cold War plunged the Middle Eastern nation into decades of armed conflict, with a chilling effect on daily life.
    — Shy Clara Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And the last independent country in that land before modern Israel, the one Rome conquered, was--wait for it--a Jewish nation.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of nation
Noun
  • The territories at various times have been part of the Russian and Ottoman empires, medieval Kievan Rus’ and earlier civilizations.
    — Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Win McNamee | Getty Images Expanding reach Musk’s political spending extends well beyond the states where his business empire is concentrated.
    — Luke Fountain,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of empire
Noun
  • On foreign policy, Lula has worked to boost the political influence of countries in the Global South as a founding member of the BRICS group, a grouping of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, China, Russia, India and South Africa.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who has spent more than four hundred million dollars on Republican campaigns this election cycle, slowed Ukraine’s access to his Starshield satellite network, leaving that country more vulnerable to Russian attacks.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • If Jeopardy asks about a European duchy, the European duchy is going to be Luxembourg.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Louise Haigh will take on the role of Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, First Secretary of State and Cabinet Office Minister.
    — Callum Sutherland, Time, 20 July 2026
Definition of duchy
Noun
  • The indictment, unsealed Thursday, alleges that Lucas and her relatives set up a business to sell marijuana before the substance was legalized for recreational sales in the commonwealth.
    — Washington Post staff, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Lucas, 82, has long been a powerful force in Virginia state politics and previously spearheaded the commonwealth's redistricting effort which was reversed by the state's Supreme Court earlier this year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • Fontvieille, Monaco Monaco has been home base for Verstappen since 2015, and for years the driver rented a high-end apartment in Fontvieille, the waterfront neighborhood tucked along the principality’s western edge.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There was another hint — this one visible to more than just a select few people — when Mas and his Spanish team descended on another principality, Monaco, for the race’s start.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of principality

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Cite this Entry

“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/city-state. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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