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confederation

confederation

32 6.0
A group of independent countries or organizations that join for a common purpose
  • noun
  • /kənˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/
translation icon : confederación
  • There were also monetary agreements between the states of the German Confederation, of the Deutscher Bund, including Austria, before 1866.
  • a loose confederation
  • talk of a confederation

Some sort of grouping or confederation of states.

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Examples

  • Since its inception in 1947, the Pentagon has existed as a loose confederation of the armed services.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The New England Confederation of 1643 was the first of its kind.

    Academic text (1991)
  • We're in a sort of confederation because it is kind of convenient to everybody, but it could be different.

  • The International Confederation is threatening to send a delegation.

  • Eight had signed the Declaration of Independence; six had signed the Articles of Confederation.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Without Tecumseh's powerful leadership, his goal of a powerful confederation of Indian nations withered and died.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The Antarctica and Southern Ocean Coalition is a confederation of more than 200 environmental groups particularly concerned with Antarctica.

    Academic text (1990)
  • An official seal stamps down on the document, leaving the circular imprint: MARS FEDERAL COLONY/CONFEDERATION OF NORTHERN NATIONS.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The organization formed a confederation of independent states to address common issues while maintaining their sovereignty.

  • During the meeting, various nations discussed the possibility of a confederation to promote economic cooperation and political stability.

Synonyms

alliance
vsconfederation
832 4.0

A formal agreement between countries or groups to work together

is a broader institutional joining that preserves member autonomy more strongly
coalition
vsconfederation
525 4.3

A group of people or organizations that join together to work for the same goal

is a more formal, lasting grouping that keeps members independently governed
union
vsconfederation
255 3.7

A group of countries joined to form one political unit

is a looser joining that keeps members more independently governed
league
vsconfederation
220 2.8

A group of people or organizations that join to work for a common goal

is more politically structured, emphasizing member independence rather than general association
commonwealth
vsconfederation
166 6.6

A group of independent countries that work together and share history

is similar but focuses on joint action for a shared purpose, not allegiance
federation
vsconfederation
74 4.3

A group of states or organizations that share a central government but keep some independence

is looser and avoids a strong central authority, keeping members more independent
consortium
vsconfederation
62 6.7

A group of companies or organizations that work together on a project

is a political grouping aimed at common purpose while preserving full autonomy
confederacy
vsconfederation
8 7.4

A group of states or groups that join to work together

is a looser association that stresses member independence rather than tight union
federation of tribes
vsconfederation
  • US
6.4

An alliance of several tribes that join to act together

is a general political grouping across contexts rather than a tribal alliance

Antonyms

89 2.6

The process of moving apart or staying apart

1 7.5

Breaking up an organized group like a band or army

Compounds

The first plan of government for the United States, made in 1781, that gives most power to the states

4.2

The official name of Switzerland, a country in central Europe

How United

union
255 3.7
federation
6 5.1
confederation
32 6.0
alliance
832 4.0

Surface Forms

confederation singular

Morphology

confederation = federation (semi-transparent) = con + feder + ation

The prefix 'con-' suggests togetherness, but the specific political meaning requires additional context.

Etymology

Confederation joins con- 'together' and feder- 'agreement' and is related to federal. So a confederation is a group of states or groups that come together for a common purpose while keeping their independence.