monarchism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Historical, Political
Quick answer
What does “monarchism” mean?
A political ideology or belief system that supports the existence and power of a monarchy (a state headed by a king, queen, or emperor).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political ideology or belief system that supports the existence and power of a monarchy (a state headed by a king, queen, or emperor).
The advocacy of, or loyalty to, monarchical principles of governance, often valuing continuity, tradition, and a hierarchical social structure. It can also refer to a movement seeking to establish or restore a monarchy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is semantically identical. The concept is more frequently discussed in the UK due to the contemporary existence of a constitutional monarchy. In the US, usage is almost exclusively historical, academic, or in discussion of foreign systems.
Connotations
In the UK, can be a neutral descriptor of a political stance. In the US, often carries a stronger connotation of being anachronistic, anti-democratic, or associated with European history.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in British English, though still a low-frequency term overall.
Grammar
How to Use “monarchism” in a Sentence
[person/group] + verb (advocate, support, embrace, reject) + monarchismmonarchism + verb (flourished, declined, persists) + [in place/time][adjective] + monarchism (e.g., absolute, constitutional, traditional)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monarchism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The group sought to monarchise the constitution, but failed.
- (Note: 'monarchise' is extremely rare and non-standard; 'restore the monarchy' is used instead.)
American English
- (No standard verb form exists. The concept is expressed periphrastically, e.g., 'to advocate for monarchical rule'.)
adverb
British English
- He argued monarchistically for the preservation of tradition. (Note: Extremely rare and stilted.)
American English
- (Effectively no standard adverb form. Use phrases like 'from a monarchist perspective'.)
adjective
British English
- His monarchist views were well-known in the club.
- The monarchist faction published a manifesto.
American English
- The professor studied monarchist movements in 19th-century Europe.
- She held deeply monarchist sympathies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and philosophy papers discussing forms of government, legitimacy, and historical movements.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only appear in sophisticated political discussion.
Technical
Used as a precise political taxonomy term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monarchism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monarchism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monarchism”
- Using 'monarchism' to refer to the period of time a monarch ruled (that is a 'reign').
- Confusing 'monarchist' (a person) with 'monarchism' (the ideology).
- Using it as a synonym for 'authoritarianism' (which is broader).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, precisely. A 'monarchist' is a person who supports 'monarchism' (the ideology).
Yes. A country can be a constitutional monarchy (like the UK or Japan) where the monarchy exists as an institution, but active ideological 'monarchism' may be just one political view among many, including republicanism.
'Monarchism' is the broad support for monarchy. 'Absolutism' is a specific, strong form of monarchism where the monarch holds ultimate, unchecked power, often justified by divine right.
No, it is a specialized, low-frequency term used primarily in formal, historical, or political discussions. The word 'monarchy' is far more common for referring to the system itself.
A political ideology or belief system that supports the existence and power of a monarchy (a state headed by a king, queen, or emperor).
Monarchism is usually formal, academic, historical, political in register.
Monarchism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒnəkɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːnərkɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"a whiff of monarchism" (suggesting faint support for monarchy)”
- “"the last gasp of monarchism" (its final decline)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MONARCH-ISM. A MONARCH (king/queen) + the suffix -ISM (belief system) = the belief system supporting a monarch.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONARCHISM IS A FOUNDATION/STRUCTURE (e.g., 'the foundations of monarchism were shaken'), MONARCHISM IS A LIVING ENTITY (e.g., 'monarchism survived', 'monarchism died out').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'monarchism' MOST appropriately used?