nation

noun

ˈnā-shən How to pronounce nation (audio)
Definition of nationnext
1
as in state
a body of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government the American people became one nation when they adopted the Constitution in 1789

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in nationality
a people having a common language, culture, and body of traditions an international organization dedicated to upholding the basic human rights of people from all nations

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 nation Niamey has been cushioned by its small domestic refining capacity, while Lomé was one of the first African nations to buy refined fuel from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery in March. — Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Several factors, including rising prices and security concerns, have rekindled Icelandic interest in joining the bloc of 27 nations. — Beatriz Ríos, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026 The airline began with service to and from Miami International Airport, seven years after the carrier pulled out of the South American nation. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 To shun them now is to spit in the face of our nation’s history. — Derek Slap, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nation
  1. state
  2. nationality
  3. country
  4. ethnicity
  5. commonwealth
  6. minority
  7. family
  8. race
Noun
  • Speaking to the state Transportation Commission last week in San Diego, Kosup stressed that another reason for the fenders is that Navy ships have also gotten larger since the bridge opened.
    — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
  • However, the threat of taking California to the Supreme Court may be enough to bring the state’s AG Rob Bonta back to the bargaining table.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of state
Noun
  • Vargas found that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his authority by categorically stopping consular officers from issuing visas based on applicants’ nationalities.
    — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The nationalities of 111 other missing people had yet to be ascertained, authorities said.
    — Arshad R. Zargar, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of nationality
Noun
  • Some officials argue that would let Iceland keep control of its waters, since no EU country has fished there for decades.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Economic impact of low birth rates Persistently low birth rates could threaten a country’s ability to sustain its economy.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • Similar to the Army, SAE was filled with young men from all walks of life; every economic background, faith, and ethnicity were represented.
    — Todd Buchanan, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, the Oregon Health Authority began gathering Jewish ethnicity data in an effort launched by a cancer researcher.
    — Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ethnicity
Noun
  • And that is our plan here in the commonwealth now with the strictest requirements in the entire country.
    — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Nine students, represented by their guardians, along with four nonprofit groups, have sued Massachusetts, saying the commonwealth had denied schoolchildren the right to an adequate education and to equal protection under the law.
    — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of commonwealth
Noun
  • Survivors a minority Madan Singh Budha had come off the night shift at the Upper Trishuli tunnel number 2 when the deluge struck.
    — Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Democrats focus on voters in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin — even Fort Worth — and their suburbs, particularly minorities.
    — Eleanor Dearman Updated August 29, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of minority
Noun
  • In our efforts to reciprocate with some updates about our family, the wife would interject within a sentence or two of our contribution to hijack the conversation back to talking about her family.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The role of companies Singapore’s new scheme shifts from merely encouraging births to focus on family well-being over the long term, which might help change how potential parents think about children.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of family
Noun
  • Trump has declined so far to endorse a successor, opting to keep his cards close ahead of what’s likely to be a bitter race.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The shift toward cost-efficiency in this round of the AI race is also linked to changing decision-makers within enterprises.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of race

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nates
nation
national
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Cite this Entry

“Nation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nation. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on nation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nation

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