as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
the newly created United States opted for self-rule rather than monarchy
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Recent Examples of self-rule
The move has elevated concerns that the same could happen with Greenland, a Danish territory with limited self-rule.
—
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2026
Yes, Greenland, a North American island east of Canada, is a Danish territory with limited self-rule.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The West Bank is home to 2.7 million Palestinians who have limited self-rule under Israeli military occupation.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Debating forms of government on a remote island is not just about local self-rule.
—Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2025
This shift should assuage Beijing’s concern that the United States seeks to make Taiwan’s self-rule permanent and emboldens Taipei to take every step toward total separation short of declaring independence.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
In other words, the price of self-rule is surrendering accountability.
—Iman Jodeh, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2025
Democrats also widely back the Home Rule Act, which allows D.C.’s local government a form of self-rule.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2026
Yes, Greenland, a North American island east of Canada, is a Danish territory with limited self-rule.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 5 Jan. 2026
The West Bank is home to 2.7 million Palestinians who have limited self-rule under Israeli military occupation.
—Matt Bradley, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Debating forms of government on a remote island is not just about local self-rule.
—Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Nov. 2025
This shift should assuage Beijing’s concern that the United States seeks to make Taiwan’s self-rule permanent and emboldens Taipei to take every step toward total separation short of declaring independence.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 28 Oct. 2025
In other words, the price of self-rule is surrendering accountability.
—Iman Jodeh, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2025
Democrats also widely back the Home Rule Act, which allows D.C.’s local government a form of self-rule.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-rule
democracy
Noun
-
During his 10 years in town, the Haitian-American scholar and civic leader — based at the LBJ School for Public Affairs — has written book after clarifying book on the intersection of race and democracy.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Rubio sat on the board of the International Republican Institute, which provided training to fledgling democracies, teaching candidates how to campaign and poll watchers how to observe elections.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-rule. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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