absolute monarchy

American  

[ab-suh-loot mon-er-kee] / ˈæb səˌlut ˈmɒn ər ki /

noun

1. a monarchy that is not limited or restrained by laws or a constitution.

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absolute monarchy British  

noun

1. a monarchy without constitutional limits Compare constitutional monarchy

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absolute monarchy Cultural  

1. Rule by one person — a monarch, usually a king or a queen — whose actions are restricted neither by written law nor by custom; a system different from a constitutional monarchy and from a republic. Absolute monarchy persisted in France until 1789 and in Russia until 1917.

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Other Word Forms

• absolute monarch
  noun

Compare meaning

How does absolute-monarchy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• absolute monarchy vs. constitutional monarchy

Example Sentences

Vatican City Pope Benedict XVI Absolute monarchy The Vatican City is an absolute elective monarchy, in which the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope, takes power.

From BBC • May 18, 2012

Swaziland King Mswati III Absolute monarchy King Mswati III was crowned in 1986 at the age of 18.

From BBC • May 18, 2012

Saudi Arabia King Abdullah bin Abdul'aziz Absolute monarchy Saudi Arabia has been ruled since its foundation by the Al Saud dynasty.

From BBC • May 18, 2012

Absolute monarchy had made gradual change impossible, for oppression dies only in convulsions.

From The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte Vol. I. (of IV.) by Sloane, William Milligan

Absolute monarchy without good intentions proved terribly oppressive.

From A Political and Social History of Modern Europe V.1. by Hayes, Carlton J. H.