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
But in order to achieve that, Iran needs not a new dictatorship but self-determination and a pluralist government that respects basic rights.
—
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Policymakers at the federal and state levels can move forward and build upon our nation’s energy abundance, self-determination and global leadership.
—Edward Cross, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
And top-down impositions could also be painted as less democratic, because the state essentially rejects the self-determination of local communities to oppose new developments.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
This constitutes a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, undermines the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and obstructs the establishment of their independent sovereign state .
—CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2026
Policymakers at the federal and state levels can move forward and build upon our nation’s energy abundance, self-determination and global leadership.
—Edward Cross, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
And top-down impositions could also be painted as less democratic, because the state essentially rejects the self-determination of local communities to oppose new developments.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 24 Feb. 2026
This constitutes a blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, undermines the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and obstructs the establishment of their independent sovereign state .
—CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
-
After that, the remainder of your estate might be left to a cause or charity of your choice.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Your natural initiative helps groups move again, while a brief pause keeps choices thoughtful instead of reactive.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Attendees could watch autonomy in action and ride in the company’s new SUV, the R2 — all right in Tesla’s backyard.—
Karoline Leonard,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The other important factor here is that autonomy increases the possible volume of military strikes.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, popstar Bad Bunny alluded to ideas of Puerto Rican independence and sovereignty during his Super Bowl halftime show, which garnered more than 4 billion views.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Iran maintains a military presence there, but its sovereignty is disputed by the UAE.—
Zach LaChance,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The crisis transformed the American auto market, making smaller foreign cars like Toyotas and Datsuns permanent fixtures and prompting the shift toward energy independence.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In 2026, the vibrant celebration of Mexican independence and culture will still take over parts of Civic Center, while shutting down Broadway just east of the park.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Pentagon had accepted his compromise, Altman implied, because his safeguards were not smuggled into the contract as an arbitrary restriction of Pentagon freedom.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Enslaved by a tyrannical regime for nearly half a century, everyday Iranians long passionately for their freedom, as the rebellion earlier this year showed.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
