STATES Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

states 1 of 2

noun

plural of state

as in countries

a body of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government the British monarch is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of the government

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states

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of state

as in says

to convey in appropriate or telling terms please state the vehicle's mechanical problem as clearly and briefly as possible

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as in tells

to express (a thought or emotion) in words "I believe this theory is wrong," she stated

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in voices

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) everyone has a right to state his or her opinion, no matter how unpopular it may be

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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 states

Noun

Vestige currently has 25 properties in Spain in various states of being restored. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Attorneys representing the states allege that Meta violated federal and state laws like the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, and various consumer protection statutes. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026 At that point, the man’s sister arrived at the hospital and was allowed to speak with him in private, the memo states. — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 The states are seeking changes to user experiences for Facebook and Instagram as well as financial damages, which could include billions of dollars in penalties. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 The real question is whether Congress should build upon the successful regulatory systems states like Connecticut have already developed or replace them with a federal approach that renders years of state policy-making largely irrelevant. — John R. Gordon, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026 The states allege Meta intentionally designed its platforms to hook children and lied about the safety of its products. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Trash is strewn everywhere; people addicted to the cheap stimulant basuco, derived from cocaine-production residue, lumber around in varying states of distress. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 While the order suggests states update their laws to match these changes, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has already said the state won't be changing its recommendations. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

The last major outbreak occurred in 2024, involving 19 human cases nationally with 13 of the cases reported in each of the New England states other than Connecticut, and two each in New York and New Jersey. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit states that after Collins filed an internal complaint with the district in 2008, it was investigated by the agency’s Equal Opportunity Programs Unit. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 The report states that a priority will be developing a framework for the circular economy that can help government, industry, and businesses align their goals. — Cleo Levin, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026 There is no league clause that states self-identification as a woman is sufficient to establish eligibility. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 In Sunday’s Daily News, Mike Lupica, in agreement with Baseball Hall of Fame deity Bill Madden, states that Catfish Hunter and Graig Nettles should be enshrined at the Yankees Monument Park. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 The narrative on the handwritten report is brief and states that police were called because a man, later identified as Raudel, was stabbed. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 Initially attributed to a data error, the department now states some reversals were deliberate to correct system errors. — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The officer, identified as Adrian Abner, turned his handgun over to Dallas police, the affidavit states. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for states

Noun

The group noted that more than 140,000 Haitians have been deported from neighboring countries, including the Dominican Republic, in the first half of the year alone.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Asteri has nine stores in Saudi Arabia, in addition to locations in other countries in the Middle East.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of countries

Verb

The company says its quantum gravity gradiometry (QGG) technology can detect extremely small variations in Earth’s gravitational field.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026
Nate Bailey, the former head of Atlanta’s firefighter union, says he was retaliated against after advocating for better working conditions.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of says

Verb

At the same time, the film tells a true story that powerfully illustrates how indispensable investigative journalism is in uncovering historical crimes.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, the Harford County Humane Society tells CBS News Baltimore there have been 140 owner surrenders through the county's animal control this summer, which is double last summer's total.

— Tara Lynch, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of tells

Noun

Western nations have imposed economic and political sanctions in response to the military takeover and violent repression of opposition, which has led to the deaths of thousands of civilians and given rise to a civil war.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Multiple Western nations declined to join the board earlier this year.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of nations

Verb

The 2027 budget also expresses the state’s intent to gradually increase these percentages and to extend weighted funding to students with disabilities beginning in fiscal year 2028.

— Jason Burns, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
During their wedding, Ann goes off script and expresses her reservations — even as John tries to reassure her.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of expresses

Verb

At the film’s end, Abbie Cornish as Fanny hears secondhand about Keats’s death and utters a cry that is almost too much to bear — a cry that feels too real.

— Sarah Chihaya, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Yet Cornelius Krull, the patriarch, speaks only a German dialect and never utters more than two words.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 May 2026

Definition of utters

Verb

While a decision on Luis’ eligibility is unlikely to come soon, adding Dent and Clark at least gives Wade some cover in case his various roster-building methods fall through.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
That gives our pizza this nice balance, this lightness and this strong structure.

— Bradley Alvelo, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026