self-governing

adjective

self-gov·​ern·​ing ˌself-ˈgə-vər-niŋ 

: having control or rule over oneself

specifically : having self-government : autonomous

Synonyms of self-governing

• independent
• autonomous
• sovereign

Examples of self-governing in a Sentence

she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18

a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region

Recent Examples on the Web

One of the key locations for the exercise is Yonaguni, Japan's westernmost island just 68 miles east of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing calls its own territory. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026

There was no immediate confirmation from Taiwan, the self-governing island that China claims as its own. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Still, rising tensions over the self-governing island loom in the background, as the Iran war depletes the US’ weapons stockpile and Taiwan’s AI chip production raises the stakes for any potential conflict. — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Both had been on the board of the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán—one of the country’s oldest Indigenous self-governing bodies, in rural western Guatemala—when the attorney general’s office had moved to annul the vote. — Will Freeman, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-governing

• governing