Standard Lemma guide

narco-state

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A state whose economy depends heavily on narcotics and other drugs.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • With the collapse of the government, there is a real danger the country will become a narco-state.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an area that has been taken over and is controlled and corrupted by drug cartels and where law enforcement is effectively nonexistent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • this Mexican town has become a narco-state that ships 100 pounds of cocaine to the United States every day

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: geographical area, geographic area, geographical region, geographic region

History

Etymology

From narco- + state.