democracy

noun

di-ˈmä-krə-sē How to pronounce democracy (audio)
Definition of democracynext
as in republic
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation under our democracy the people have some control over their lives by being able to select their own political leaders

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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 democracy Then there’s an older Lula, back on the streets after being freed from prison for what his allies always believed were unjust corruption charges, and mobilizing opposition to Brazil’s far right in defense of the country’s democracy. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 Earlier this month, the Group of Seven wealthy democracies agreed to release 100 million barrels of oil and fuel products, beginning with substantial quantities of diesel after the fuel’s price hit a record high in the United States. — Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 Other top issues include jobs and the economy, health care, elections and democracy and immigration. — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 The liberal ascendancy that followed the American triumph in the Cold War—with the subsequent expansion of both democracy and free markets—is now over. — Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for democracy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for democracy
republic
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

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demobs
democracy
democrat
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Cite this Entry

“Democracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/democracy. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on democracy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about democracy

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