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

See Examples For:

absolute monarchy

Thapa was drawn into politics as a teenager in the 1980s, when leftist and communist parties led a popular movement against absolute monarchy, giving rise to multi-party democracy since 1990.

From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026

Formerly known as Swaziland, the country is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

From Barron's ● Nov. 17, 2025

Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa.

From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2025

Eswatini is an absolute monarchy, and most of the country’s population live below the poverty line.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 4, 2023

It would seem that they live under an absolute monarchy, and dare not disobey orders.

From The Emigrant's Lost Son or, Life Alone in the Forest by Anonymous