The term "city-state" has been used throughout history to describe politically independent cities with significant influence over the surrounding regions. There are several synonyms for the word "city-state" that are equally appropriate depending on the context. Some of these are republic, commonwealth, principality, and federation. A republic emphasizes the idea that power is delegated to representatives elected by the people. A commonwealth connotes a shared sense of community and a focus on public good. A principality implies a semi-autonomous region ruled by a prince or monarch. A federation highlights the idea of unity and cooperation between multiple entities. Whatever the preference, exploring these synonyms can expand our understanding of the rich history of city-states worldwide.