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 tension between the self-denying demands of being a Kennedy wife and Carolyn’s assured self-determination sets the framework for this love story.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Most Iranians have now come to realize that their fundamental rights have been taken away from them, including the freedom to choose one’s own religion or belief, political self-determination and even their lifestyle choices.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
And yet, major Jewish legacy organizations continue to insist that support for Israel requires denying the realities of occupation, justifying violence against Palestinians and rejecting Palestinian self-determination even while affirming the same for Jews.
—Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
As Nick and Jacki’s conversations deepen, the line between witness and participant blurs, forcing both to confront what justice demands, what belief requires, and the perilous distance between true freedom and the illusion of self-determination.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026
Most Iranians have now come to realize that their fundamental rights have been taken away from them, including the freedom to choose one’s own religion or belief, political self-determination and even their lifestyle choices.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
And yet, major Jewish legacy organizations continue to insist that support for Israel requires denying the realities of occupation, justifying violence against Palestinians and rejecting Palestinian self-determination even while affirming the same for Jews.
—Rabbi Jill Jacobs, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
As Nick and Jacki’s conversations deepen, the line between witness and participant blurs, forcing both to confront what justice demands, what belief requires, and the perilous distance between true freedom and the illusion of self-determination.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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If you’re tempted to uproot your current life and spend your days at a higher elevation, the following mountain towns and cities—all recommended by real estate experts—are great choices.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
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And electors in any country in the world make their choices, and those choices have to be respected.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Unlike Chapek, who alienated Disney’s creative divisions by having the media chiefs report to his handpicked ally, Kareem Daniel, there’s a sense that D’Amaro will approach the task with more delicacy, giving Walden a level of autonomy.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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His work set a precedent for autonomy and creative control as hip-hop became a commercial juggernaut in the ’90s.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mastering nuclear technology therefore isn’t merely a technical achievement but proof of Iran’s sovereignty and advancement to the level of global powers.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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The Taliban, condemning Pakistan’s attacks as a violation of Afghan sovereignty, retaliated by attacking Pakistani military posts along the Durand Line.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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What is at issue is the relationship between artistic freedom and institutional independence.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But Lemon was eventually arrested in late January after a federal grand jury returned an indictment against him and eight others on charges of conspiracy against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom.—
Ryan J. Reilly,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
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The nine defendants face charges of conspiring against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and injuring, interfering and intimidating with exercising the rights of religious freedom of worship, according to a 14-page grand jury indictment obtained by USA TODAY.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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