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sultan

sultan

29 6.2
A Muslim ruler of a country, often from the Ottoman Empire
  • noun
  • /ˈsʌltən/
translation icon : sultán
  • The religious institution was dependent upon the sultan, who appointed and dismissed its members.
  • Ottoman sultan
  • reigning sultan
  • rule by the sultan

But what had happened was because it was in the papers and it was national and involved the Sultan of Brunei, they really want to, you know, slam us.

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Examples

  • To quash the threat, the Sultan brings his war elephants to battle.

  • But it was a gift from a sultan to his beloved.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • You tried to convert the sultan.

  • My father gave me to the sultan to prove his loyalty.

  • According to the sources, the man then rushed at the Sultan, who rose from his throne but stumbled and fell.

  • As a result, laws propounded by individual sultans were not considered permanent.

    Academic text (2000)
  • There is another newer palace, Dolmabahce, where the last of the sultans lived, but it's more European.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Scheherazade: And so it was that Amin became one of the most beloved sultans in history.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Delhi's most famous female Sultan, Razia Sultana, was a Kipchak Princess born in India.

  • The sultan ruled over his vast empire with absolute power and authority.

Synonyms

ruler
vssultan
153 2.1

A person who has power over a country or its people

is a specific sovereign of a Muslim country rather than any governor
emir
vssultan
37 8.1

A Muslim ruler in parts of Africa or Arabia

is the national sovereign title for a whole Muslim country rather than local rule
amir
vssultan
11 9.2

A local ruler or chief in parts of Africa and Arabia

is the countrywide sovereign title, not typically a local tribal leader
hakim
vssultan
4 9.9

A Muslim leader who rules or judges people using Islamic law

is the national sovereign role rather than an administrative or judicial office
padishah
vssultan
  • Archaic
9.9

A title for a powerful emperor used by Ottoman and Persian leaders

is the common sovereign title for Muslim countries, notably the Ottoman state
soldan
vssultan
  • Archaic
9.9

A Muslim ruler in old times

is the modern common title for such sovereigns in Muslim lands
Grand Turk
vssultan
  • Archaic
9.9

A powerful Muslim ruler of the Ottoman Empire, the sultan

is the neutral official sovereign title used within Muslim countries

Compounds

A nickname for Babe Ruth, a famous baseball player who hit many home runs

A garden plant that has sweet-smelling colorful flowers

How Powerful

sultan
29 6.2
emir
37 8.1
hakim
4 9.9
governor
3.0
local authority
  • UK
51 3.4
judge
2.7
magistrate
63 7.2

Surface Forms

sultan singular
sultans plural

Etymology

The word sultan comes from the Arabic sulṭān, which means 'authority' or 'power', so a sultan is literally someone with the power to rule. The title was used for rulers of Muslim lands, especially in the Ottoman Empire, which is why we use it for that kind of sovereign.