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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-determination
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
But the broader issue is self-determination.
—Tiffany Caban, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
There needs to be self-determination and there needs to be a pluralistic government that includes a lot of different kinds of Iranians.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Led by officers weary of Portugal’s colonial wars, which had begun in the early 1960s, the revolution favored negotiating autonomy with Portuguese colonies and affirmed their right to self-determination.
—Agathe Demarolle, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
But the broader issue is self-determination.
—Tiffany Caban, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026
There needs to be self-determination and there needs to be a pluralistic government that includes a lot of different kinds of Iranians.
—ABC News, 8 Mar. 2026
Led by officers weary of Portugal’s colonial wars, which had begun in the early 1960s, the revolution favored negotiating autonomy with Portuguese colonies and affirmed their right to self-determination.
—Agathe Demarolle, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
-
Pisces February 19 – March 20 An upcoming choice could strengthen your confidence.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
But then his journey through Amen Corner might have left him wanting to say a few choice words.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
No company embodies the American ideas of freedom, independence, perseverance and individuality more than Harley-Davidson.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hungarians of all backgrounds turned up to assert their freedom to assemble.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Now, with the burden of history lifted and the demons of past Masters Sundays exorcised, McIlroy exudes a freedom his past steps around this place did not enjoy.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
