monarchical

American  

[muh-nahr-ki-kuhl] / məˈnɑr kɪ kəl /

Also monarchic

adjective

1. of, like, or pertaining to a monarch or monarchy.

2. characterized by or favoring monarchy.

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Other Word Forms

• antimonarchic adjective
• antimonarchical adjective
• antimonarchically adverb
• monarchically adverb
• nonmonarchic adjective
• nonmonarchically adverb
• premonarchical adjective
• semimonarchic adjective
• semimonarchical adjective
• semimonarchically adverb
• unmonarchic adjective
• unmonarchical adjective
• unmonarchically adverb

Etymology

Origin of monarchical

First recorded in 1570–80; from Greek monarchik(ós) (from mónarch(os) monarch + -ikos -ic ) + -al ¹

Explanation

A society that's monarchical is ruled by a king or queen. In a monarchical state, rulers inherit their power from their parents or other relatives. Some monarchical states are known as "elected monarchies," in which citizens elect a monarch, but most have been hereditary, with monarchical rule passing from parent to child, and lasting for the ruler's lifetime. This style of government is unusual today, though it was common before the nineteenth century. Most remaining monarchical countries, like Great Britain, are constitutional monarchies, in which the king or queen has a ceremonial role. The Greek root word is monarkhia, "ruling of one."

Example Sentences

Washington himself declined the chance to appear on coins when he was president, considering the idea monarchical.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

"Irrespective of the nature of the regime in Kabul - monarchical, communist, or Islamist - there has been a natural warmth between Delhi and Kabul," The Indian Express newspaper noted.

From BBC • Jan. 14, 2025

Supreme Court justice—donned the ceremonial attire of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George upon being granted a knighthood from the monarchical religious-military order.

From Slate • Nov. 4, 2024

That openness, in a poor country emerging from centuries of monarchical suppression and decades of insurgency, showed that democratic expression need not necessarily be correlated to economic status.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2024

Adams tried to laugh himself out of the monarchical morass, claiming that he simply wanted to assure that the executive branch of the government enjoyed a fighting chance against the awesome powers of the legislature.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis