1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region
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Recent Examples of self-governing
Administration officials heralded the law as liberation from the constant vulnerability of relying on chip-makers in Taiwan, a self-governing island only 100 miles off the Chinese coast that is claimed by Beijing.
—
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governing
Adjective
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The movies at Sundance Film Festival's swan song in Park City, Utah, were very on theme for the event, celebrating independent cinema with familiar faces in challenging fare, quirky examinations of youth and fascinating documentaries.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
1 Feb. 2026
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The General Services Administration, an independent agency that manages federal buildings, has reached out to Fort Lauderdale to see if there’s any interest in purchasing the property, city officials say.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Republican confidence in other qualities, like acting ethically in office and respecting the country's democratic values, has declined since last February, according to Pew.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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But New York State’s special elections shut voters out, replacing democratic choice with a process that looks more like a coronation than a contest.—
Grace Rauh,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As a result, organizations need alignment among leadership, an integration strategy, and clear rules for autonomous action.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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In January 2025, the autonomous aircraft successfully completed ground taxi tests.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The fund is anchored by sovereign investors in the Gulf.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
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Sentiment had already begun to recover after regulators on Thursday outlined reform measures, including doubling minimum free float—the number of shares available for public trading—to 15% starting next month and possible market involvement by sovereign wealth fund Danantara.—
Prima Wirayani,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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