dynast

noun

dy·​nast ˈdī-ˌnast How to pronounce dynast (audio)
-nəst

Examples of dynast in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The thirst for an outsider combined with the lure of a dynast proved overpowering. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 28 Dec. 2023 Just over a decade ago, some slogans chanted by Iranian protests about death to the Supreme Leader or in favor of Iran's past monarchial dynast would have been taboo. Ben Evansky, Fox News, 13 May 2022 All had been named by Henry as his heirs, and all are depicted as rather bloodthirsty offspring of a dynast whose desire for a son set in motion atrocity and horror, a nation remade and history befogged. John Anderson, WSJ, 27 Aug. 2021 Farrar became the paper’s first crossword puzzle editor, the founding dynast of the Hapsburgs of the crossword empire. Peter Sagal, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2020 With the help of French special forces, the Saud dynasts crushed the movement, but not without significant loss of life on holy ground. Keija Parssinen, The New York Review of Books, 31 Jan. 2020 Every successful candidate has to crack a particular personal problem: Trump, outsider; Obama, inexperience; W., dynast. Nr Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2019 Up against such pressure, Mr. Bush seems to be embracing his inner dynast, joking about his family in speeches, pointing out relatives in his crowds and going out of his way to speak with pride about his father’s and brother’s achievements. Ashley Parker and Alexander Burns, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dynast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dynastēs "ruler, prince," borrowed from Greek dynástēs "holder of political power, lord, ruler," from dyna-, stem of dýnamai, dýnasthai "to be able, have the strength or capability (to do something)" + -s- (probably after derivatives of verb stems ending in *-ad-) + -tēs, agent suffix — more at dynamic entry 1

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dynast was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near dynast

Cite this Entry

“Dynast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynast. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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