statesman
noun
states·man
ˈstāts-mən 
1
: one versed in the principles or art of government
especially
: one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government or in shaping its policies
2
: a wise, skillful, and respected political leader
Examples of statesman in a Sentence
He was a soldier and statesman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, is a man who likes rubbing shoulders with global statesmen, and two in particular who represent his organisation’s new frontiers.
—
Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Yet, while a further decline in relations is possible, the conventional wisdom may overlook a competing, perhaps even more likely scenario: A U.S.-China grand bargain, driven by Trump’s ambition to be remembered as one of America’s great statesmen.
—David Bach, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Daniel Webster, his secretary of state, had bragged about whittling down the speech, or at least removing numerous references to ancient Roman statesmen.
—Michael Bartiromo, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
Five decades later, Carter is viewed as a humanitarian and a statesman; a reputation that eluded him during his 1980 campaign.
—Sally Susman, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for statesman 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Yet, while a further decline in relations is possible, the conventional wisdom may overlook a competing, perhaps even more likely scenario: A U.S.-China grand bargain, driven by Trump’s ambition to be remembered as one of America’s great statesmen.
—David Bach, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Daniel Webster, his secretary of state, had bragged about whittling down the speech, or at least removing numerous references to ancient Roman statesmen.
—Michael Bartiromo, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
Five decades later, Carter is viewed as a humanitarian and a statesman; a reputation that eluded him during his 1980 campaign.
—Sally Susman, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for statesman
Dictionary Entries Near statesman
Cite this Entry
“Statesman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statesman. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
statesman
noun
states·man
ˈstāt-smən
: a person engaged in fixing the policies and conducting the affairs of a government
especially
: one having unusual wisdom and skill in such matters
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share