self-determination

noun

ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce self-determination (audio)
Definition of self-determinationnext
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

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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

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 Trump’s twenty-point plan for Gaza is actually a pathway to security for Israel, reconstruction for Gaza, and the possibility of self-determination—however defined—for the Palestinians. — David Remnick, New Yorker, 17 June 2026 The Jewish people’s movement for self-determination in their biblical homeland — called Zionism — has become a dirty word on college campuses and in liberal political parties, and increasingly in some conservative ones. — Thomas L. Friedman, Mercury News, 16 June 2026 That legacy of faith, self-determination and community has endured for generations. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 15 June 2026 True self-determination for Inuit requires political transformation. — Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
  1. choice
  2. autonomy
  3. sovereignty
  4. independence
  5. freedom
Noun
  • Langeliers singled to right center in the third inning and made out as part of a fielder’s choice later in the inning.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • Although justices were directly elected, state law at the time allowed governors to unilaterally appoint a candidate of their choice to the Supreme Court when a vacancy occurred in the middle of a judicial term.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • Unlike physical aggression, coercive control operates through monitoring, intimidation, isolation, guilt and restrictions on a partner’s autonomy.
    — Mark Travers, CNBC, 5 July 2026
  • Today, Tibet retains autonomy but remains under political, military, and administrative control from China.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • By using Beyon’s local data center infrastructure, its customers will be able to access Oracle’s cloud services without any data leaving the country and maintaining data sovereignty.
    — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 July 2026
  • The State Department has launched a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court over what Secretary of State Marco Rubio called a threat to American sovereignty.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • During the Tuesday hearing, Warsh was also repeatedly asked about Fed independence and his ability to silo the unique federal agency from influence from the White House.
    — Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026
  • To put it bluntly, originalism itself might not have survived the disaster of abolishing Fed independence.
    — Noah Feldman, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • The teachers who know their students best are too often given the least freedom to respond to what those students actually need.
    — Tiffany Thenor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • The must-read (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times) Times staff writer Deborah Vankin recently learned via a bow and arrow the importance and freedom that can come with literally letting go.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of freedom

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self-destructs
self-determination
self-determining
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Cite this Entry

“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on self-determination

Nglish: Translation of self-determination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-determination

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