monogamous
adjective
mo·nog·a·mous
mə-ˈnä-gə-məs 
variants
or less commonly monogamic
: relating to, characterized by, or practicing monogamy : having only one mate, spouse, or sexual partner at one time
… the beaver has several qualities that endear it to people: it is monogamous and lives in a family unit; it is gentle and clean; it is absolutely industrious.—
Doug Hand
Doug HandBut for women who are not at risk for STDs because they are in mutually monogamous relationships, modern IUDs can be safe and very effective.—Kim Painter
Kim PainterThere are many kinds of infidelity, but here we are talking about a sexual infidelity in monogamous marriage or a relationship that is tantamount to marriage.—Frank Pittman
Frank Pittman
monogamously
adverb
Pairs usually mate monogamously for life …
—Vincenzo Penteriani et al.
Vincenzo Penteriani et al.
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What is the Difference Between monogamous and Polygamous?
American marriage is by law monogamous; people are permitted to have only one spouse at a time. There are cultures with laws that permit marriage to more than one person at a time, or polygamy. Although the term polygamy may refer to polyandry (marriage to more than one man), it is more often used as a synonym for polygyny (marriage to more than one woman), which appears to have once been common in most of the world and is still found widely in some cultures.
Examples of monogamous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In all seriousness, Pascal’s nimble and witty performance as Martell dazzled audiences, both with his winning personality and beautiful, ethically non-monogamous relationship with princess Ellaria Sand.
—Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Amy Gallo Ryan considers monogamous writing.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Think college students who are monogamous during the school year, but date others when home for the holidays.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
On the other hand, in birds—which are usually monogamous—that competitive pressure is lower, and males often live longer.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
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Catherine Mhloyi, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Amy Gallo Ryan considers monogamous writing.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Think college students who are monogamous during the school year, but date others when home for the holidays.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
On the other hand, in birds—which are usually monogamous—that competitive pressure is lower, and males often live longer.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for monogamous
Cite this Entry
“Monogamous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monogamous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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