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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Recent Examples of city-state
Evoking the concept of kingdoms while exploring diverse expressions of power, the pieces span empires, kingdoms, city-states, chiefdoms, and figures from divine rulers to heroic leaders.
—
Essence, 3 June 2025
It was initially applied to the dominance of one city-state over others.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Singapore’s imports look huge because that city-state is often the first stop on the way to their final destination in other parts of Asia.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Phoenicians gave the world its first alphabet and were formidable sea merchants and colonizers, establishing city-states throughout the central and western Mediterranean.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for city-state
Essence, 3 June 2025
It was initially applied to the dominance of one city-state over others.
—Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Singapore’s imports look huge because that city-state is often the first stop on the way to their final destination in other parts of Asia.
—Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Phoenicians gave the world its first alphabet and were formidable sea merchants and colonizers, establishing city-states throughout the central and western Mediterranean.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for city-state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for city-state
Noun
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The ignorant need cultural immersion at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, which tells the story of those who fled the Cuban island that went from a free, prosperous republic to an oppressive, impoverished dictatorship within a single generation.—
Luka Ladan,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
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France has meandered through five republics and two empires.—
The Editors,
National Review,
4 July 2025
Noun
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The Fantastic Four are invited to visit the isolated African kingdom of Wakanda by T’Challa, the nation’s young prince.—
Ekow Eshun
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
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Though the kingdom’s low debt levels are the envy of most other countries, its finances are being stretched by the scale of its ambition.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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But as more women and couples delay parenthood, have fewer babies or don't have children altogether, a growing number of nations around the world — more than 1 in 10 countries — have plunged to levels of childbearing so low that many scientists are worried.—
Sarah McCammon,
NPR,
7 July 2025
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The vast majority of nations targeted by the tariffs had yet to strike a trade agreement with the U.S., meaning the deadline could have brought back the slate of tariffs that had triggered the April stock selloff.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
Noun
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High school projects could turn into Harvard case studies, teenage blogs into book deals, and college experiments into empire foundations.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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Now, with Hong Kong’s equity markets rebounding, Li is seizing a more favorable window to raise capital for the crown jewel of his business empire.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
Noun
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All of the other letters were similar, telling countries that the new tariffs were intended to rectify trade imbalances with the U.S. The letter to Brazil, however, was about Brazilian politics.—
Danielle Kurtzleben,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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Trump, Netanyahu look to relocate Palestinians to other countries.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Known collectively as Hessians, since most Germans hired by London to fight in America came from Hesse-Kassel, this contingent was largely from the small, impoverished duchy of Brunswick, whose ruling family had intermarried with the British royal family.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2025
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The duchy is also partnering with local organizations to address homelessness, a key focus of his royal work in recent years.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
30 May 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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He was born in Monte Carlo, the luxury haven of the wealthy in the principality of Monaco.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
3 July 2025
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The roar of the engines echoing throughout the principality, combined with the picturesque surroundings, made for not only a spectacular race day, but an unforgettable weekend.—
Erica Wertheim Zohar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“City-state.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/city-state. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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