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Meaning of banana republic | Babel Free

Noun CEFR B2

Definitions

A small country, especially one in Central America or the West Indies, that is dependent on a single export commodity (traditionally bananas) and that has a corrupt, dictatorial government.

derogatory, idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“At that time we had a treaty with about every foreign country except Belgium, and that banana republic, Anchuria.”
“The banana workers of this former banana republic were exceptionally well organized and effective in their demands from the very beginning of the revolution.”
“The McCanns, it is hinted and sometimes expressed explicitly, cannot possibly be treated fairly under this inadequate Portuguese system. There is a touch of arrogant xenophobia here, as if Portugal was some backward banana republic […]”

CEFR level

B2
Upper Intermediate
This word is part of the CEFR B2 vocabulary — upper intermediate level.

See also

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