concubines

noun

plural of concubine
as in mistresses
a female other than his wife with whom a married man has a continuing sexual relationship the offspring of one of the monarch's concubines

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 concubines But experts say the male-only succession system is structurally flawed and only worked previously thanks to the help of concubines who, until about 100 years ago, produced imperial children. — Mari Yamaguchi, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025 Some of them were married (or given as concubines) to Inca nobles, others became priestesses, and some ended up as human sacrifices. — ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025 Royal gardens, peeling frescoes, and tiled mosaics are breathtaking in their beauty, but the zenith of any visit is a wander through the sultan’s harem, once home to hundreds of concubines and their eunuch guards. — Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Dec. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for concubines
  1. mistresses
  2. lovers
Noun
  • Wives and mistresses battle each other in the French court of King Henry II and in the palace of Maharaja Madho Singh II.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Getty Suite speaks for itself with its throne-like chairs, opulent tapestries, carved rose wooden ceiling and connecting door into the Medici Suite (CH) where Getty put up some of his mistresses.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 July 2026
Definition of mistresses
Noun
  • This one’s for the chocolate lovers who appreciate a little mythology lesson, too.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Star-crossed lovers sing right past each other on the duet from Bryan’s new Young Manhood and Other Donatable Organs EP.
    — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lovers

Browse Nearby Words

concubine
concubines
concupiscence
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Cite this Entry

“Concubines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/concubines. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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