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

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Compare meaning

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

• absolute monarchy vs. constitutional monarchy

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

absolute monarchy

Africa's last absolute monarchy, Eswatini-- formerly called Swaziland -- is regularly criticised for its poor human rights record.

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

Roberto Mosquera's family had no trace of him for a month after he was arrested by US immigration agents, until a government social media post revealed he had been deported to Africa’s last absolute monarchy.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025

Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2025

The Vatican is the lone absolute monarchy left in Europe, with Francis wielding supreme legislative, executive and judicial power.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 18, 2023

After a hundred and fifty years of foreign war and civil discord, at a period when order and unity were ardently desired, an absolute monarchy had appeared the only power capable of realizing such aspirations.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 7 "Fox, George" to "France" by Various

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