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
Colton-Max co-chairs New Jewish Narrative, an organization that supports justice and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians, and is a vice-president of the American Zionist Movement.
—
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
What followed was not just the growth of an industry, but the strengthening of tribal self-determination.
—Cody J Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Treatment refusal rests on the inherent right of self-determination and does not depend on how the Constitution is interpreted.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
The five territories are among 17 regions across the world the United Nations says should be granted self-determination or independence.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
What followed was not just the growth of an industry, but the strengthening of tribal self-determination.
—Cody J Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Treatment refusal rests on the inherent right of self-determination and does not depend on how the Constitution is interpreted.
—Robert S. Olick, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
The five territories are among 17 regions across the world the United Nations says should be granted self-determination or independence.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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Gonzalez, however, could leave if Courtois and Andrii Lunin, Real Madrid’s second-choice goalkeeper, stay at the club, possibly opening the door for Navarro to push on.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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This baked pasta recipe is a great choice for a busy weeknight.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
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The report arrives as Yale and its Ivy League peers are under pressure from multiple directions — not just a skeptical public, but a federal government that has used funding as a direct lever against campus autonomy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Dispensaries on tribal land were the first to open because of their sovereignty and ability to make their own rules.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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When the deal to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which claims sovereignty over the Indian Ocean territory, was first announced it was fully supported by the US.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
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No company embodies the American ideas of freedom, independence, perseverance and individuality more than Harley-Davidson.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Luke Kennard, who last month was competing for additional bench minutes as a sharp-shooting specialist, recognized the proverbial freedom as well.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
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That balance between structure and freedom is what allows Larter to fully inhabit Angela.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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