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 The true fight is for self-determination and restitution; anything less is unacceptable. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 While wide hips were considered a problem area not so long ago, designers are now erecting a sort of fashion monument to them—as a symbol of sensuality, strength, and self-determination. — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026 Produced as a Hong Kong-US collaboration, the film explores identity, family, cultural displacement, and the difficult choices faced by those navigating between tradition and self-determination. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 23 July 2026 The Constitution’s architects, despite notoriously excluding many Americans from the political community, wished those who were granted the right of self-determination to be able to do so on an equal basis. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 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
  • The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan, known as Eiren, announced the choice Wednesday.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Then again, the Fantasy 5 evening draw — 9, 11, 20, 32, 35 — also turned out to be a popular choice.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • Explore the distinctive voices who use the Power of No to create focus, quality, autonomy and build a life of remarkable success.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Surfacing bridging content that spans political lines while speaking to what the user values could be a promising direction for fostering both user autonomy and constructive conversation.
    — Farnaz Jahanbakhsh, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • San Manuel Nation, a partner of the Dodgers for more than a decade, is actively fighting against prediction markets, believing their availability in California violates tribal sovereignty.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • That lofty rhetoric will now meet reality, demonstrating how much economic pain a nation is willing to face to secure its political sovereignty.
    — Sara Miller Llana, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • The program uses culinary education to build confidence, independence, creativity and life skills while introducing students to potential careers in the culinary arts.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Reiterating its 2019 call for Kavala’s release, the court declared his life-without-parole conviction null and void and found multiple violations of fundamental rights and judicial independence guarantees.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • The Council of Urban Professionals' 5th Annual MV Summit celebrated thought leadership in AI, financial freedom, luxury, and community building.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In a blow to press freedoms within the US military, the Pentagon has forced out several top staffers at Stars and Stripes, the military publication with a long record of editorial independence.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on self-determination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-determination

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