1
as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
self-government implies faith in the wisdom and essential goodness of the people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
steely self-government was all that kept her from lashing out at the rude customer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another
championed self-government for the nation's indigenous peoples
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-government
If the incumbent ruling establishments in liberal democracies cannot abide the election of popular outsiders, then their promise of offering people self-government is a lie.
—
The Editors, National Review, 4 Apr. 2025
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
The British monarch imposed the Intolerable Acts of 1774 that closed Boston Harbor and restricted self-government in Massachusetts; the president of the United States has sent his border czar to arrest criminal aliens.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 25 Mar. 2025
In doing so, Americans claimed for themselves the right to self-government and established themselves as the ultimate authority and power.
—Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
The Editors, National Review, 4 Apr. 2025
While there has even been some talk of a military invasion, there are other ways America could gain control of the Arctic territory, such as free association, which is the ability to maintain self-government along with a voluntary and mutual partnership with a sovereign state.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2025
The British monarch imposed the Intolerable Acts of 1774 that closed Boston Harbor and restricted self-government in Massachusetts; the president of the United States has sent his border czar to arrest criminal aliens.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 25 Mar. 2025
In doing so, Americans claimed for themselves the right to self-government and established themselves as the ultimate authority and power.
—Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 16 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
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But perhaps the most serious rebuke to the liberal international order has come from inside the democracies, where populist parties have hitched economic grievances, anti-immigrant sentiments, and the loss of faith in their own elites and institutions to an authoritarian domestic turn.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
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The federal courts have toggled back and forth between narrow and liberal interpretations of the Constitution’s applicability to immigrants facing deportation – shifts that reflect competing visions of American nationhood and the boundaries of liberal democracy.—
Rick Baldoz,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Join 315 others in the comments View Comments Whether the market can continue to serve as a restraint on Trump’s intent to implement aggressive trade policy has ignited debate on Wall Street.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
30 Apr. 2025
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China, which claims control of part of Kashmir has also called for restraint.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The chaser’s desire for closeness can overwhelm the spacer, who may feel emotionally suffocated or in need of autonomy.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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With the proliferation of gen-AI, ethical concerns toward its application have re-entered the spotlight, including issues of water and energy consumption/waste and artist alarm over creative autonomy and exploitation.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
4 May 2025
Noun
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This measure also protects our national security by projecting American sovereignty in the Arctic, where China and Russia are aggressively increasing their activities.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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Americans should respect the sovereignty of other countries.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage.—
Tyler Holzhammer,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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In her ruling, Judge Howell framed the targeting of Perkins as an attack on the independence of the legal profession and the judicial system.—
Ryan Lucas,
NPR,
3 May 2025
Noun
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In this dark comedy, Bud’s own fictionally fatal mishap may be the thing to give him a second chance at freedom and life.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
1 May 2025
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The Times of India reported on Tuesday that Modi has given the military the operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the response to the attack in Kashmir.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-government. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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