confederation

noun

kən-ˌfe-də-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce confederation (audio)
Definition of confederationnext
1
as in confederacy
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection the smaller nations were forced to form a confederation out of self-defense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in association
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters) the big-budget movie was produced by the studio in confederation with another in order to lower the risk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 confederation The confederation described both appointments as an unprecedented event for the region. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Once reports of the proposal to sell off stakes in the World Cup broke last month, three confederations — Asia, Europe, and North America — along with anger from world leaders and dissenting FIFA staff pushed Infantino to back down. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The executive committee of the smallest and least wealthy confederation, Oceania, will meet next Wednesday to discuss their approach. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 There are enough votes from those three confederations to bring down Infantino, but there is no guarantee that all members of these associations will vote in the same way. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confederation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confederation
  1. confederacy
  2. association
  3. federation
  4. partnership
  5. coalition
  6. collaboration
  7. union
  8. relationship
Noun
  • July 4 birthed independence but also a dysfunctional confederacy.
    — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • The headstone, a memorial to texans who served the confederacy, was erected in 1964, which is to say the state missed the hundred-year anniversary of the battle itself but did remember to put it up in the year that Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
    — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of confederacy
Noun
  • The head of the tenants association at the Frederick Douglass Houses on the Upper West Side took photos and videos of individuals sitting on blankets in a stairwell and laying on cardboard in a hallway.
    — Tim McNicholas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, German autoworker layoffs are now higher than during the global financial crisis of 2008–9 or the COVID pandemic, forcing German and European business associations to call for unprecedentedly stringent local content requirements.
    — Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of association
Noun
  • In listing their roster for the late-August window of World Cup qualifying, Greek’s federation made clear there were no NBA impediments.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The national federations of Argentina, Mexico and Qatar are among those to express public support for his continued leadership.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of federation
Noun
  • The partnership arrives as families across Georgia are beginning another school year -- the perfect time for a little reinvention.
    — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed a strategic partnership agreement just over two years ago.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of partnership
Noun
  • The restoration runs through a coalition of four local groups, the oldest founded 26 years ago.
    — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • There have been additional contributions to the coalition since then, which will be reported in September.
    — Bob Woods, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of coalition
Noun
  • O'Neal said the production's overall look comes from collaboration among the lighting, costume, sound and projection designers, along with the rest of the creative team.
    — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Clear structure can make collaboration feel easier, not colder.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of collaboration
Noun
  • Aron has waved the flag publicly in support of a Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger, while Deadline told you first that Regal boss Eduardo Acuna was also a champion for the union.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The union representing 47,000 TSA workers is suing the agency over records tied to TSA Gold+, a new airport security screening program.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of union
Noun
  • But last year, their relationship blew up amid a turf war over CPS employees.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As time passes and questions remain unanswered, the film shows how grief connects, relationships change, and new perspectives emerge.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of relationship

Browse Nearby Words

confederating
confederation
confederations
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Cite this Entry

“Confederation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confederation. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on confederation

Nglish: Translation of confederation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confederation

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