blocs

noun

plural of bloc
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group a whole bloc of students got together to complain

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in coalitions
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection the bloc that the United States and most of western Europe formed during the Cold War

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 blocs Schmitt proposed that the world would be properly organized by spatial blocs, or Grossräume, dominated by regional hegemons. — Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 The conflict pitted against each other the two political blocs that would define Israel. — CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Tier 1 includes countries and blocs that deal in large volumes of goods tied to China, but also maintain diversified industrial bases. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026 Beyond concerns about Hong's old tweets, however, critics have suggested the campaign underperformed with key voting blocs and made questionable decisions, such as dedicating $150,200 to online ads without running a single TV broadcast spot. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026 Netanyahu is courting blocs of ultranationalist voters ahead of what’s expected to be a difficult reelection campaign in October. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 Indeed, its domestic coalition spans Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish political blocs. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Fragmentation in the form of armed conflicts, tariff disputes and the dissolution of trade blocs is at an all-time high. — Yasushi Sasaki, Fortune, 30 July 2026 These various developing relationships with Iraq do not represent a simple competition among rival countries or blocs. — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 21 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blocs
  1. factions
  2. coalitions
  3. parties
  4. alliances
  5. sides
  6. unions
  7. federations
  8. leagues
Noun
  • In the last decade and a half, a carrousel of feuding political factions took turns governing, all inadequately.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • If the league can successfully divide different groups of players, or if the union can’t successfully unite various factions, players overall will have a tough go.
    — Evan Drellich, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of factions
Noun
  • And both sets of allies are forming new middle-power coalitions to reduce reliance on Washington, from recent European arrangements with India to the trade agreements Japan is pursuing with Latin America.
    — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Health care affordability will be solved by building durable coalitions around ideas that work in the real world, not just in theory.
    — Kody Kinsley, STAT, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of coalitions
Noun
  • Those deals took place under multiple presidential administrations of both parties, and various FTC leaders.
    — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The district says it should be allowed to use the existing law and that any major changes to California's fiscal oversight system should go through the normal legislative process, including public hearings and input from all involved parties.
    — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of parties
Noun
  • Powerful nations interested in the Pacific have raced in recent years to shore up alliances among its leaders, intensifying a contest for influence between China and the United States, Taiwan, and forum members Australia and New Zealand.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Navigating a changing climate, Marian develops interspecies alliances on a quest for the holy grail.
    — Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of alliances
Noun
  • Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The newfound decagon is about 104,250 miles (167,820 kilometers) wide, with each of its 10 sides measuring about 10,425 miles (16,782 km) long.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of sides
Noun
  • Nonetheless, no agreements have been reached yet, partly because of the complexities of the issues surrounding AI, as well as sensitivities around how Hollywood talent and unions would react, the sources said.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The Court has been persistently reactionary in its dealings with other branches, using horizontal review to protect enslavers from abolitionists, bosses from unions, and tycoons from tax collectors.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unions
Noun
  • And while these residents may have varying opinions on the legislation, the 43 federations, councils and other organizations that make up Jewish California have thrown their support behind it.
    — Sharon Udasin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Caribbean member federations are seen as potential supporters for Infantino to peel away from their CONCACAF leadership.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of federations
Noun
  • Hugh Jackman wants to joins his fellow Hollywood star and friend Ryan Reynolds in owning part of a soccer club in the English leagues.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • There is no appeals process for this, and courts generally give leagues wide latitude to enforce their own rules.
    — John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of leagues

Browse Nearby Words

blocky
blocs
blog
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Cite this Entry

“Blocs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blocs. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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