self-determination

noun

ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce self-determination (audio)
Definition of self-determinationnext
1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-determination They cannot be expected to accept the denial of Jewish self-determination. — Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 Rather, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026 But the truth is that self-determination is not always possible. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026 Those visitors might have been forgiven for wondering what a building that looked like the Starship Enterprise had to do with national self-determination. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
  1. choice
  2. autonomy
  3. sovereignty
  4. independence
  5. freedom
Noun
  • Intentional design choices leave the coat tailored in all the right spots, like around the shoulders and sleeves.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Jones said the new options will give Alaska a range of premium choices, from the honeymoon splurge to repeat Hawaii visitors looking for a step-up from coach.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • Which is something that Carney says Canada doesn’t want anyway, in the interests of maintaining its own sovereignty and autonomy.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
  • An employee can want autonomy and still want to know exactly what success looks like.
    — Jeff LeBlanc, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • Zimbabwe government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said the proposal contained conditions the country could not accept, citing concerns over data sharing, fairness, sovereignty and Washington’s shift away from global health institutions.
    — Farai Mutsaka, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Which is something that Carney says Canada doesn’t want anyway, in the interests of maintaining its own sovereignty and autonomy.
    — Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • Asif suggested the Houthis and some Iraqi militias might now act with substantial independence from Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has thrown her weight behind the Zurich-premiering My Home of Wind and Sand, an important and affecting documentary following a young woman’s fight for her community’s independence.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • The arrests deepen concerns about press freedom in Egypt, where authorities have repeatedly accused journalists and government critics of Brotherhood ties or spreading false news.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • What unites the two candidates is the assumption that Brazil still has the freedom to choose its foreign policy strategy.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of freedom

Browse Nearby Words

self-destructs
self-determination
self-determining
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Cite this Entry

“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on self-determination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-determination

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