republic

noun

ri-ˈpə-blik How to pronounce republic (audio)
Definition of republicnext
as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation when asked by a passerby what sort of government the constitutional convention had formulated for the new nation, Benjamin Franklin memorably replied, "A republic, if you can keep it"

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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 republic Like our democratic republic itself, these efforts are decentralized — local, pragmatic, and responsive to what communities actually need. — Brendan Bechtel, Fortune, 25 July 2026 Early diplomatic ties India gained independence from Britain in 1947 and became a republic in 1950. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026 After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, Beregovsky and other academics from the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences were evacuated to the eastern republic of Bashkir. — Shira Li Bartov, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026 In 1919, Germany’s Weimar Constitution was adopted by the republic’s National Assembly. — ABC News, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
  • His ideology was shaped by a combination of conservative principles, a belief in democracy and a commitment to defending freedom and liberty.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • As with all things in a loud, messy, pluralistic democracy, public opinion plays a role here too—and Americans are clearly ready for action.
    — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of democracy

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reptilian
republic
republican
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Cite this Entry

“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on republic

Nglish: Translation of republic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about republic

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