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republican

2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for republican, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A person who supports republican government — rule by elected representatives rather than a monarch.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

anti-monarchist anti-royalist

How to use republican

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

Republican Party staunch republican republican movement

Etymology

From republic plus the adjective ending -an, reinforced by French républicain.

Full origin of republican →

Frequently asked questions

What does “republican” mean?

The word “republican” means a person who supports republican government — rule by elected representatives rather than a monarch. In plain terms, someone who favors government without a monarch, or (capitalized) a member of the US Republican Party.

How do you pronounce “republican”?

“Republican” is pronounced rih-PUHB-lih-kuhn (/ɹɪˈpʌblɪkən/ in IPA).

How do you use “republican” in a sentence?

Here is “republican” used in a sentence: “He was a lifelong republican, opposed to any return of the monarchy.”

What part of speech is “republican”?

“Republican” is a noun.

Where does the word “republican” come from?

The word “republican” comes from French. From republic plus the adjective ending -an, reinforced by French républicain.

Is “republican” a common word?

“Republican” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “republican” have?

“Republican” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who supports republican government — rule by elected representatives rather than a monarch.

What is the difference between a republican and a monarchist?

A republican believes a country should be led by elected representatives, with no king or queen as head of state. A monarchist believes in keeping a monarch, whether ruling or ceremonial. The two hold opposite views on how the highest office in a nation should be filled.

What is the difference between a republican and a Republican?

Written with a small 'r', a republican is anyone who supports a republic over a monarchy. Capitalised, Republican usually means a member or supporter of the United States Republican Party. The first is a general political idea; the second is a specific party allegiance.

What does it mean to be a republican in Britain?

In Britain, a republican is someone who wants to replace the monarchy with an elected head of state. It describes a constitutional position rather than a party — British republicans span the political spectrum and are united mainly by their wish to end hereditary rule.

What do republicans believe?

Republicans hold that political power should rest with the people and their elected representatives, not with a hereditary ruler. They value accountability, the idea that a head of state should be chosen on merit, and the principle that public office should not pass down through a single family.

Related words

republicanization

Nearby words

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.