POLYGAMY Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

polygamy

noun

Definition of polygamy

as in polyamory

the state or practice of being married to more than one person at the same time Some cultures practice polygamy.

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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 polygamy The history of the thing is interesting but vague—a general shift towards monogamy started about three and a half million years ago, but most human societies (around 85% of them) have permitted polygamy too. — Eva Wiseman, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025 In July 2025, Uganda’s courts swiftly dismissed a petition challenging the legality of polygamy, citing the protection of religious and cultural freedom. — David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025 The fundamentalist group split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Mormons officially abandoned polygamy in 1890. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2026 Hildale and Colorado City were originally settled by members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who were known for practicing polygamy. — Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polygamy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for polygamy

Noun

In Queen Mother, Farmer takes a clear-eyed look at Moore’s foibles, noting her absenteeism during her son’s formative years, her embrace of patriarchal hierarchy in Black communities, and her exhortations for Black women to embrace polygyny to facilitate nation building.

— Dara T. Mathis, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025
In short, there remain multiple ways polygyny can be harmful.

— David W. Lawson, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2025

Definition of polygyny

Noun

Chen, who is currently being held on $100,000 bail in the Clark County Detention Center, has been charged with five felony counts of bigamy and two counts of intent to utter a fictitious bill/note/check, per FOX5.

— Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
Fox News, Daily Mail and Christian Post reported that Williams was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of state from Rockdale County in Conyers, Georgia, tied to a bigamy charge.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026

Definition of bigamy

Noun

One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry.

— Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
For generations, anthropologists have argued whether humans are evolved for monogamy or some other mating system, such as polygyny, polyandry or promiscuity.

— Nathan H. Lents, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

Definition of polyandry

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polygamies

polygamy

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“Polygamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/polygamy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of polygamy

noun

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