junta

[ hoon-tuh, juhn‐, huhn‐ ]

See synonyms for junta on Thesaurus.com

noun

a small group ruling a country, especially immediately after a coup d'état and before a legally constituted government has been instituted.
a council.

a deliberative or administrative council, especially in Spain and Latin America.
junto.

Origin of junta

1615–25; <Spanish: a meeting, noun use of feminine of Latin junctus, past participle of jungere to join; see junction

pronunciation note For junta

When the word junta was borrowed into English from Spanish in the early 17th century, its pronunciation was thoroughly Anglicized to

[juhn-tuh]. /ˈdʒʌn tə/. The 20th century has seen the emergence and, especially in North America, the gradual predominance of the pronunciation

[hoon-tuh], /ˈhʊn tə/, derived from Spanish

[hoon-tah] /ˈhun tɑ/ through reassociation with the word's Spanish origins. A hybrid form

[huhn-tuh] /ˈhʌn tə/ is also heard.

Words Nearby junta

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use junta in a sentence

Sixty percent of the people involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement, a peaceful protest designed to shut down the country, are women, and they continue to face sexual violence, harassment, abuse, and threats from the junta.
Myanmar's Women Are Fighting for a New Future After a Long History of Military Oppression | MiMi Aye | June 1, 2021 | Time
Before they left, the junta forced them to sign a bond saying that they and their children would never speak out against them, to guarantee the safety of their family that remained in the country and the privilege of being allowed to return.
Revolutions Are Built on Hope. That's Why I Believe Myanmar's Protesters Will Succeed | MiMi Aye | April 8, 2021 | Time
Once, when I was staying with a cousin in Yangon, I had to hide in her wardrobe as junta inspectors came to the door because I wasn’t listed as a resident.
Revolutions Are Built on Hope. That's Why I Believe Myanmar's Protesters Will Succeed | MiMi Aye | April 8, 2021 | Time
Under the previous junta, which ruled from 1962 to 2011, there was little access to information outside of military propaganda.
As Myanmar's Junta Intensifies Its Crackdown, Pro-Democracy Protesters Prepare for Civil War | Kyaw Hsan Hlaing / Yangon | April 7, 2021 | Time
On March 25, Myanmar’s Civil Disobedience Movement was nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize—and just weeks ago, protesters were using creativity, humor and the arts to inspire solidarity and mock the junta.
As Myanmar's Junta Intensifies Its Crackdown, Pro-Democracy Protesters Prepare for Civil War | Kyaw Hsan Hlaing / Yangon | April 7, 2021 | Time

If J-Law suddenly decided to declare solidarity with Thai anti-junta activists?
‘The Hunger Games’ Stars Silent on Thai Protesters | Asawin Suebsaeng | November 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The students were protesting the May 22 military coup that brought a junta and Gen. Prayut to power.
‘The Hunger Games’ Stars Silent on Thai Protesters | Asawin Suebsaeng | November 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A junta can do it, using their military power to overtly or covertly control decisions at the highest level.
Valerie Jarrett, Obama Consigliere—and Democracy Killer | James Poulos | November 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Markov still calls Ukrainian officials “the junta,” enemies.
Russia's Suspicious Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine Separatists | Anna Nemtsova | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The junta reportedly has appointed a six-member advisory board to look after security, the economy, and laws.
Up to Speed: All You Need to Know About the Thai Coup | Lennox Samuels | May 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
One of the provisional junta of government is the greatest slave merchant here.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria Graham
These papers were received by the junta of Provisional Government, at whose head was the Bishop.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria Graham
Each of these has as its head an officer called a regedor, and occupies the attention of a junta de parochia, or parish council.
Spanish Life in Town and Country | L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
La junta passada de adonde comenron todas las desverguenas que al presente ay en este reyno.
History of the Rise of the Huguenots | Henry Baird
The viceroy of Peru, dismayed by this disaster, asked a truce, which the junta consented to accord to him.
The Guide of the Desert | Gustave Aimard

British Dictionary definitions for junta

junta

/ (ˈdʒʊntə, ˈdʒʌn-, US ˈhʊntə) /

noun

a group of military officers holding the power in a country, esp after a coup d'état
Also called: junto a small group of men; cabal, faction, or clique

a legislative or executive council in some parts of Latin America

Origin of junta

C17: from Spanish: council, from Latin junctus joined, from jungere to join

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for junta

junta

[ (hoon-tuh, jun-tuh) ]

A group of military leaders who govern a country after a coup d'état.

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