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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-determination
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
The team is both a symbol of national pride and a condensation of battles Haitians have long fought for dignity and self-determination.
—
Laurent Dubois,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
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
The team is both a symbol of national pride and a condensation of battles Haitians have long fought for dignity and self-determination.
—
Laurent Dubois,
The Conversation,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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Miltos’ Greek Table at Andronis Luxury Suites is the Oia choice for travelers who want romance.
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Vic makes some baffling choices here, buzzing in twice on the first word in the series without hearing the rest, and getting eliminated from multiple rounds five seconds in.
Noun
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The First Amendment prohibits such an assault on Gateway's religious autonomy and freedom.
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Any other solution, even one motivated by a desire to protect your guests from harm, cannot avoid also looking like an intrusion into personal autonomy and a negative judgment on character.
Noun
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Hezbollah denounces the deal as a threat to Lebanese sovereignty, while Israeli leaders vow not to cede ‘a millimeter’ until the group is fully disarmed.
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Hernandez frames message sovereignty as the answer to a question every leader needs to sit with.
Noun
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Unlike the 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain, both Florida colonies remained loyal to the British Crown throughout the American Revolution, according to historian and author Mike Bunn.
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The marker commemorates those who fought for independence in the Revolutionary War.
Noun
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The book details what activism, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to freedom looks like.
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General Magic had generous investors, world-class talent and creative freedom.
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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