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

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

China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its own breakaway province and hasn’t renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

The final package fell far short of what President Lai Ching-te insisted was necessary to prepare the self-governing island for a potential Chinese attack. — Scott Tong, NPR, 11 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-governing

• governing