STATES Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

states 1 of 2

noun

plural of state

as in countries

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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states

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of state

as in says

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

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as in tells

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in voices

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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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 states

Noun

Using a universal mathematical framework, the researchers treated thermalization as a process that can bring different quantum systems into their corresponding thermal states. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026 There are indications that some of the Central Asian nations present, all of which are post-Soviet states, are deepening diplomatic and economic links with Washington. — Reuters, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026 Picard believes many states of poor health start there, and his once unusual research focus is now mainstream. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Redistricting is reshaping the political outlook in many states, with the possibilities for partisan control divided into three categories. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Page isn’t the only tech billionaire to trade the West Coast for Miami as states move to tax the rich. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 While some states voluntarily handed over the information, the department sued 30 states and the District of Columbia to obtain it -- lawsuits that so far have been unsuccessful. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 On Monday, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador celebrated that announcement, which followed a victory in a lawsuit Idaho and 14 other states filed against the bureau. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2026 Sand stands as a stark contrast to other Democrats running in solidly blue states, such as Michigan Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed, who have embraced talking points from the Democratic Socialists of America. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

While the league rulebook states what should happen during the anthem, the protocols were suspended years ago. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The criminal complaint states Israel, of Bloomington, was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant at the time. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 The central bank is unlikely to step in unless countries comply with its excess deficit procedure, which states that the general government budget deficit must not exceed 3% of GDP. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 The federal indictment states the planes were traveling away from Cuba when they were destroyed and that the Cuban military gave their occupants no warning. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 The act states that secession negotiations can begin only after a referendum question and its result meet standards of clarity. — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026 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 An article in the New York Times states that the fair and its accompanying events draw some 80,000 attendees and bring $60 million into the city every year. — News Desk, Artforum, 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for states

Noun

Organizers expect more than 5,000 content players from Asia and further afield, representing 60 countries and regions.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
However, not all of those weapons came from American military stockpiles; some were manufactured through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative or provided by European countries.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of countries

Verb

Martin Zummach, an attorney who represents the officer who fired the shot that killed Kohen, says the attorney general's findings cleared his client of criminal wrongdoing.

— SOPHIE BATES, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
For developers managing a mix of AC and DC loads, Inam says the device collapses a number of machines—including a rectifier, an inverter, backup power and energy management—into a single unit four feet square and 12 feet high.

— Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of says

Verb

Nouraei tells her patients and clients, however, that the safest way to start taking creatine would be incrementally, beginning with three grams daily for a week, then four, then to five.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
But for this initial step, Pierre tells mature patients to find a formula that’s gentle, non-irritating, and—if needed—able to remove makeup.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of tells

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
Larson headlined the Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry, earning Emmy, SAG, Critics Choice, and Golden Globe nominations, and voices Rosalina in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of voices

Noun

While many nations were already moving towards taking over their maternal and child health needs, lead times for orders can be a year or more, five former USAID officials said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
The development calls into question the future of the USMCA, which will face annual reviews until 2036—or until one of the three partner nations decides to pull out.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of nations

Verb

At its core, gifting expresses human relationships, and receiving an item specifically chosen from a personal wish list delivers a far better experience than a surprise generated by an algorithm.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Anyone who expresses admiration, positivity, or sympathy for Art of Play is getting attacked by trolls.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of expresses

Verb

Rao wrote and co-produced the comedy, and nobody in it utters a line.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Over the course of Decay, Godflesh‘s 10th and supposedly penultimate album, frontman Justin Broadrick utters less than 150 words total in just 42 minutes.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of utters

Verb

But a new federal political action committee gives him a way to start building beyond Pennsylvania.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 17 Oct. 2026
If benefits shrink or get taxed more aggressively down the road (which is a legitimate concern) having a tax-free income source gives you flexibility a pre-tax account simply can’t.

— Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026