re·pub·li·can
ri-ˈpə-bli-kən 
1
: one that favors or supports a republican form of government
2
capitalized
a
: a member of a political party advocating republicanism
b
: a member of the Democratic-Republican party or of the Republican party of the U.S.
1
a
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a republic
b
: favoring, supporting, or advocating a republic
c
: belonging or appropriate to one living in or supporting a republic
republican simplicity
2
capitalized
b
: of, relating to, or constituting the one of the two major political parties evolving in the U.S. in the mid-19th century that is usually primarily associated with business, financial, and some agricultural interests and is held to favor a restricted governmental role in economic life
Synonyms
Examples of republican in a Sentence
Noun
Our state representative is a Republican.
The state's voters are mostly Republicans.
Adjective
the leader of the Republican Party
a small but well-organized republican movement working quietly to overthrow the military dictatorship
Recent Examples on the Web
Carmela Guaglianone, Detroit Free Press, 16 June 2024
The political bombers were a diverse bunch: socialist agitators, Russian nihilists, Irish republicans, German saboteurs.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
On the other side of the English Channel in staunchly republican France, broadcasters scrapped normal programming to carry up to 12 hours of live footage Monday.
—Nicholas Paphitis, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for republican 
Noun
The three-day event touted a roster of big name republicans, including Donald Trump Jr., U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Trump’s former Chief of Staff, Steve Bannon.
—Carmela Guaglianone, Detroit Free Press, 16 June 2024
The political bombers were a diverse bunch: socialist agitators, Russian nihilists, Irish republicans, German saboteurs.
—Steven Johnson, New York Times, 17 May 2024
Adjective
The republican government introduced a host of anti-clerical laws, including prohibiting religious teaching at schools.
—Nicole Winfield, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Aug. 2023
On the other side of the English Channel in staunchly republican France, broadcasters scrapped normal programming to carry up to 12 hours of live footage Monday.
—Nicholas Paphitis, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for republican
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'republican.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near republican
Cite this Entry
“Republican.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/republican. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
republican
1 of 2 adjective
re·pub·li·can
ri-ˈpəb-li-kən
1
a
: of, relating to, or resembling a republic
b
: favoring or supporting a republic
2
capitalized
b
: of, relating to, or being one of the two major political parties in the U.S.
republican
2 of 2 noun1
: one that favors or supports a republican form of government
2
capitalized
a
: a member of a political party favoring republicanism
b
: a member of the Democratic-Republican party or of the Republican party of the U.S.
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