sovereign

²sov·er·eign

adj \ˈsä-v(ə-)rən, -vərn also ˈsə-\

Definition of SOVEREIGN

1

a : superlative in quality : excellent b : of the most exalted kind : supreme <sovereign virtue> c : having generalized curative powers <a sovereign remedy> d : of an unqualified nature : unmitigated <sovereign contempt> e : having undisputed ascendancy : paramount

2

a : possessed of supreme power <a sovereign ruler> b : unlimited in extent : absolute c : enjoying autonomy : independent <sovereign states>

3

: relating to, characteristic of, or befitting a supreme ruler : royal <a sovereign right>

— sov·er·eign·ly adverb

Variants of SOVEREIGN

sov·er·eign also sov·ran \ˈsä-v(ə-)rən, -vərn also ˈsə-\

Examples of SOVEREIGN

1. the sovereign power of a king
2. The government's sovereign duty is to protect the rights of its citizens.
3. Local officials and a huge and enthusiastic crowd greeted Napoleon at the Portoferraio harbor. The Allies had granted him the title of Emperor of Elba, which was to be a sovereign state under his jurisdiction. —David Pryce-Jones, National Review, 4 July 2005
4. If Cleopatra VII used her own personality more like Elizabeth I than Elizabeth II, she seems to have had the latter Elizabeth's sovereign sense of duty—as well as her fertility: With a dispatch usually associated with the gods, Cleopatra bore Caesar a son called Caesarion—“little Caesar”—in 47 B.C.E., the year after they met (she was twenty-one, he fifty-two). —Ingrid D. Rowland, New Republic, 1 & 8 April 2002

Origin of SOVEREIGN

Middle English soverain, from Anglo-French soverein, from Vulgar Latin *superanus, from Latin super over, above — more at over

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SOVEREIGN

Synonyms: arch, big, capital, cardinal, central, chief, dominant, first, grand, great, greatest, highest, key, leading, main, master, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, overbearing, overmastering, overriding, paramount, predominant, preeminent, premier, primal, primary, principal, prior, foremost (also sovran), supreme

Antonyms: last, least

Related Words: distinguished, eminent, illustrious, noble, notable, noteworthy, outstanding, prestigious, signal, star, stellar, superior; high-level, senior, top; important, influential, major, mighty, momentous, significant; incomparable, matchless, unequaled (or unequalled), unparalleled, unsurpassed; celebrated, famed, famous, renowned

Near Antonyms: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, minor, negligible, slight, trifling, trivial, unimportant; collateral, inferior, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism