" confederation "

1: an association of persons, parties, or states for mutual assistance and protection;

  * e.g., " ... the smaller nations were forced to form a confederation out of self-defense "

•  Synonyms : 

•  alliance,

•  axis,

•  bloc,

•  block,

•  coalition,

•  combination,

•  combine,

•  confederacy,

•  federation,

•  league,

•  union

•  Antonyms : 

•  disaffiliation,

•  dissociation

2: the state of having shared interests or efforts (as in social or business matters);

  * e.g., " ... the big-budget movie was produced by the studio in confederation with another in order to lower the risk "

•  Synonyms : 

•  affiliation,

•  alliance,

•  association,

•  collaboration,

•  connection,

•  cooperation,

•  hookup,

•  liaison,

•  linkup,

•  partnership,

•  relation,

•  relationship,

•  tie-up,

•  union

•  Antonyms : 

• (N/A)