state 1 of 2

noun

ˈstāt How to pronounce state (audio)
Definition of statenext
1
as in nation
a body of people composed of one or more nationalities usually with its own territory and government the British monarch is the head of state, while the prime minister is the head of the government

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2
as in dignity
high position within society Sir Thomas More was accorded an execution befitting his state: a beheading and not the hanging that common criminals received

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state

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to say
to convey in appropriate or telling terms please state the vehicle's mechanical problem as clearly and briefly as possible

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2
as in to utter
to express (a thought or emotion) in words "I believe this theory is wrong," she stated

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3
as in to voice
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) everyone has a right to state his or her opinion, no matter how unpopular it may be

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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 state
Noun
But these programs are disconnected and spread out across the state, creating a situation where students in one part of Connecticut may have access to opportunities that are walled off from students living elsewhere. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026 Last month, state officials announced voter fraud charges against 20 people. — Raven Lightsey, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
The deputies found no warrants or weapons and did not issue citations for the minor violations, the suit states. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Our board of directors states that owners are responsible for repairing their non-working electronic component in their unit. — Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for state
Recent Examples of Synonyms for state
  1. nation
  2. dignity
  3. say
  4. utter
  5. voice
  6. country
  7. rank
  8. express
Noun
  • Mohave County, where Bullhead City is located, has higher poverty and unemployment rates than the state and nation, with a lower per-capita income, according to Census and state unemployment data.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • As reported, De Beers and the government of the Republic of Botswana have tapped the Olympic gold medal athlete Letsile Tebogo to promote the African nation as a heartland of natural diamonds, and to mark its 60 years of independence.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of nation
Noun
  • Elections give even the poorest Indians the prospect of dignity and agency, and as a result, voter turnout rates are routinely high.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Loss of government’s dignity Whatever the crowd’s reaction that day, the public execution had already become an argument about the nature of government.
    — Maurizio Valsania, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dignity
Verb
  • After the premiere the other day, [Jones] says, ‘Thanks for paying attention to the character Waylon, because most people wouldn’t.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • But some owners say the Meta glasses are waking up and recording without that phrase ever being uttered — effectively monitoring their surroundings without express permission.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The attackers uttered homophobic remarks before repeatedly punching and kicking the victims, police said.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of utter
Verb
  • For Peyton Elizabeth Lee, who voices the lead character Prue, alongside actors like Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, and Jacob Tremblay, that experience was quite different.
    — Bridget Arsenault, Vanity Fair, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Saints principal owner Gayle Benson voiced her concerns Tuesday, less than two full days after the team dropped its third consecutive game.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of voice
Noun
  • The 20 countries at greatest risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis, ranked by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) annually in our Emergency Watchlist, represent just 12% of the global population, but 90% of those in humanitarian need.
    — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Many other countries and even continents would kill to have this level of ingenuity on their shores.
    — Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of country
Noun
  • Teams carry over 50 players, and only two or three from most teams will advance to the professional ranks.
    — David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The president has essentially purged the House GOP ranks of those perceived to be disloyal.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of rank
Verb
  • Orantes also expressed frustration with the handling of her father’s arrest — to which federal authorities had clearly alerted some media, who were brought along for the raid.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • When Seyfried expressed a sudden impulse to play Holmes again, the next phase of the documentary began to take shape.
    — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of express

Browse Nearby Words

stasis
state
state's evidence
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Cite this Entry

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

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about state

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