pharaoh

noun

pha·​raoh ˈfer-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce pharaoh (audio) ˈfā-(ˌ)rō How to pronounce pharaoh (audio)
variants often Pharaoh
Synonyms of pharaohnext
1
: a ruler of ancient Egypt
2
: tyrant

Synonyms of pharaoh

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Examples of pharaoh in a Sentence

like some pharaoh of a third-world country, more interested in building monuments to himself than in creating a future for his people
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In fact, the Book of Exodus is his jam here, focusing on Moses (Christian Bale), his close connection to Egyptian pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton) and Moses' effort to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to freedom. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 The idea came from architect Hal Hayes, who was inspired bythe Great Pyramid of Giza, where a pharaoh built a row of smaller pyramids alongside it for his queens, as Hayes told the Fire Island Pines Historical Society. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026 Beyond its fascinating reliefs depicting pharaohs and Egyptian deities, the temple offers sweeping panoramic views across Madrid’s western districts. — Jennifer Fernández Solano, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 There will soon be a new king—or pharaoh, rather—on Egyptian waters. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pharaoh

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pharao, from Old English, from Late Latin pharaon-, pharao, from Greek pharaō, from Hebrew parʽōh, from Egyptian pr-ʽʾ̹

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pharaoh was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing pharaoh

Rhymes for pharaoh

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Browse Nearby Words

phar
pharaoh
Pharaoh's chicken
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Cite this Entry

“Pharaoh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pharaoh. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pharaoh

noun
pha·​raoh ˈfe(ə)r-ō How to pronounce pharaoh (audio) ˈfa(ə)r- How to pronounce pharaoh (audio)
ˈfā-rō
often capitalized
: a ruler of ancient Egypt
Etymology

Old English pharao "pharaoh," from Latin pharaon-, pharao (same meaning), from Greek pharaō (same meaning), from Hebrew par'ōh "pharaoh," of Egyptian origin

More from Merriam-Webster on pharaoh

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pharaoh

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