1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another
rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-determination
The film’s real message, however, is deeply anti-capitalist, as Mickey 17 (the 17th clone) is fighting for his humanity and encouraging others to organize for their self-determination.
—
Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
Celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa with a celebration of Kujichagulia (self-determination), featuring African drumming and a dance performance, griot storytelling, a Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony and a community dinner.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
But workplaces don’t always give employees, regardless of their disability status, the flexibility and self-determination necessary to enact their strategies.
—Emily Rosado-Solomon, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Respect for the rule of law and protecting every Mississippian’s right to individual liberty and self-determination are the bedrock principles upon which our Constitutional Republic and state were founded.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
Celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa with a celebration of Kujichagulia (self-determination), featuring African drumming and a dance performance, griot storytelling, a Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony and a community dinner.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
But workplaces don’t always give employees, regardless of their disability status, the flexibility and self-determination necessary to enact their strategies.
—Emily Rosado-Solomon, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
Respect for the rule of law and protecting every Mississippian’s right to individual liberty and self-determination are the bedrock principles upon which our Constitutional Republic and state were founded.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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For a more specialized fit, the Petite Wide-leg Pants are an excellent choice for shorter shoppers, while the Curvy Wide-leg Pants are just as comfortable and flattering (and on sale for almost $40 off).—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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This is evidence that color drenching is a more recent design choice and might not be timeless.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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True autonomy demands a fundamentally different approach — a unified system that perceives, decides, and acts with the entire body at once.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
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Gains have largely reflect optimism about its opportunities in autonomy and energy storage.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The issue of digital sovereignty and the ability of nations to control the deployment of technology across borders was a hot topic, with leaders warning that divergent rules and governance models risk stalling innovation and stifling growth.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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In both instances, Copenhagen and the Greenlandic government in its capital Nuuk responded by expressing openness to further collaboration, stressing the importance of sovereignty and dispatching a high-level delegation for talks in Washington.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Gold also continued its rally as investors are flocking to the safe haven amid challenges to the Federal Reserve’s independence and a weakening dollar.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Following the country’s independence in 1991, the Kazakhstan Premier League was formed, a competition that Kairat have won five times — including the last two editions in 2024 and 2025.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There’s a version of this story that is easy and uplifting, where the hawk symbolizes freedom and saves Helen’s life and everyone lives happily ever after.—
Adam Graham,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
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But power Android users don’t want their freedom to run their own phones their own way to be curtailed.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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