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 government denies the assertion by Imamoglu and the CHP that the case against him is politically driven and says that Turkey’s courts are independent.—
Reuters 17 hr ago,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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Written by Agnieszka Holland, the drama was made for less than $1 million and distributed by independent film company Vestron Pictures.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Before Hasina’s ouster, the United States didn’t do much to check the course of democratic backsliding in Bangladesh.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
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At the time, some human rights experts voiced concerns that his presidency risked backsliding on the democratic gains made since Suharto’s authoritarian regime.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Clockwork manicure was not as comprehensive as what 10Beauty looks to deliver, though absorbing the company’s data has accelerated 10Beauty’s own device and helped the company better understand what will and won’t work in autonomous services.—
Noor Lobad,
Footwear News,
10 Nov. 2025
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The company is already exploring applications in other high-volume settings such as hospitals, universities, and factories, and has even partnered with Ukraine’s BRAVE1 defense technology program to test autonomous meal preparation for soldiers in the field.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Nigeria is the latest to issue an African sovereign debt note, despite concerns about debt distress on the continent.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Norway's sovereign wealth fund argued that Musk's new shares in the company would diminish existing shares, NBC News reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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