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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Recent Examples of republic
Its central purpose was to explain the reasons for separation from Britain, not to detail the new republic’s governing principles.
—
Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
The question of a central bank’s role and responsibility in our republic dates to America’s founding.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
America’s concept of the separation of church and state has served our republic well, allowing piety to thrive alongside freedom of conscience.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
While rumblings of a republic are never too far away, a survey taken at the end of the king’s last visit to Australia in 2024 showed most Australians wanted to keep the status quo.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
The question of a central bank’s role and responsibility in our republic dates to America’s founding.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
America’s concept of the separation of church and state has served our republic well, allowing piety to thrive alongside freedom of conscience.
—Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
While rumblings of a republic are never too far away, a survey taken at the end of the king’s last visit to Australia in 2024 showed most Australians wanted to keep the status quo.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for republic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for republic
democracy
Noun
-
In Qalqilya, a city where no slates registered to participate at all, Marwan Ennabi said elections didn't reflect that Palestinian democracy was thriving or capable of changing the deteriorating conditions on the ground.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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Our democracy works best when voters choose their representatives — not the other way around.—
Allyson Meyers,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Republic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/republic. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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