confederation

noun

kən-ˌfe-də-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce confederation (audio)
Definition of confederationnext
1
as in confederacy
an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection the smaller nations were forced to form a confederation out of self-defense

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in association
the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters) the big-budget movie was produced by the studio in confederation with another in order to lower the risk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 confederation The fallout from that controversial attempt has divided the soccer landscape, with continental confederations and individual national associations all split on whether a change in FIFA leadership is needed. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 The confederation described both appointments as an unprecedented event for the region. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Once reports of the proposal to sell off stakes in the World Cup broke last month, three confederations — Asia, Europe, and North America — along with anger from world leaders and dissenting FIFA staff pushed Infantino to back down. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The executive committee of the smallest and least wealthy confederation, Oceania, will meet next Wednesday to discuss their approach. — Reuters, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for confederation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confederation
  1. confederacy
  2. association
  3. federation
  4. partnership
  5. coalition
  6. collaboration
  7. union
  8. relationship
Noun
  • Seneca said the renaming violated the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua, which was signed by President George Washington and the Haudenosaunee confederacy promising perpetual peace and friendship.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • July 4 birthed independence but also a dysfunctional confederacy.
    — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
Definition of confederacy
Noun
  • The European Composer and Songwriter Alliance helps fill that gap, uniting national associations to lobby policymakers and guide young composers through contracts and negotiations.
    — Ben Croll, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Once a staple among cowboys and railroad workers, the Lee 101 became a symbol of youth rebellion in the 1950s, when James Dean popularized the jeans and helped solidify their association with biker culture.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of association
Noun
  • While club competitions revenue mostly goes back to the teams as prize money, UEFA needs lucrative national-team events to fund its own running costs, support 55 member federations and keep a reserves fund around 500 million euros ($560 million).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Rather, it was based on joint research by eight major trade union federations examining the actual living expenses of 422 workers from 28 factories in Phnom Penh, Kandal and Kampong Speu provinces.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of federation
Noun
  • Coming in 2030 will be a proud fusion of iconic Kansas City brands and institutions, enabled by a partnership with Hallmark that starts with razing its headquarters to accommodate the stadium district footprint.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Hugo said his work as a songwriter, producer, arranger, and performer was central to their success, though Williams was the public face of their partnership.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of partnership
Noun
  • Because of its proportional representation system – voters cast one vote for a national party-list – even the largest parties rarely win more than 35 seats, and Israel has always had coalition governments.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Years of political turmoil, corruption and the ascendance of a deadly gang coalition are suffocating Haiti’s capital city.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of coalition
Noun
  • Bryan has a history of successful collaborations, from Bruce Springsteen to Kacey Musgraves.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Open systems support integration The collaboration relies on open-system architectures that allow different technologies to work together.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of collaboration
Noun
  • Powell, the treasurer of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, said former union president Escobar showed up to a union board meeting while on-duty.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Advocacy groups, unions and other due diligence bodies are only advancing in their capabilities and capacity to root out wrongdoing.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of union
Noun
  • Our family has forged stronger relationships because of life’s uncertainty, not in spite of it.
    — Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But domestic relationships are much more complicated than that.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of relationship

Browse Nearby Words

confederating
confederation
confederations
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on confederation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about confederation

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