self-determination
noun
self-de·ter·mi·na·tion
ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: free choice of one's own acts or states without external compulsion
2
: determination by the people of a territorial unit of their own future political status
Examples of self-determination in a Sentence
the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination
rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination
Recent Examples on the Web
But amidst this painful reality, a story rooted in joy, agency, and radical self-determination is emerging.
—
Stephanie Long, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Popularized by the 1909 Scofield Bible and modern televangelism, this theology sees Israel's 1948 founding not as Jewish self-determination but as a prophetic sign of the end times marked by global tribulation, Jewish conversion, and Christ's return to rule from Jerusalem.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Some protests have focused specifically on supporting federal employees, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination or Ukraine, and others have demonstrated against Trump’s agenda generally.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
According to Rasmussen, Rubio acknowledged Greenland’s right to self-determination.
—From Reuters, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
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Stephanie Long, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
Popularized by the 1909 Scofield Bible and modern televangelism, this theology sees Israel's 1948 founding not as Jewish self-determination but as a prophetic sign of the end times marked by global tribulation, Jewish conversion, and Christ's return to rule from Jerusalem.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Some protests have focused specifically on supporting federal employees, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination or Ukraine, and others have demonstrated against Trump’s agenda generally.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
According to Rasmussen, Rubio acknowledged Greenland’s right to self-determination.
—From Reuters, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-determination. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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