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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of self-determination
In the months since the film was made, India’s own trans communities have come under accelerated legal attacks, quickly robbing them of their rights to self-determination in March of 2026.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2026
Places like this reflect a broader American story of stewardship, self-determination, and economic opportunity.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Steward Ownership models which combine self-determination and purpose orientation.
—Alex Amouyel, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Tontey’s Karamoy becomes literally larger than life, with three breasts and exaggerated muscles, a physical manifestation of her will toward self-determination.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 May 2026
Places like this reflect a broader American story of stewardship, self-determination, and economic opportunity.
—Josh Rivera, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Steward Ownership models which combine self-determination and purpose orientation.
—Alex Amouyel, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Tontey’s Karamoy becomes literally larger than life, with three breasts and exaggerated muscles, a physical manifestation of her will toward self-determination.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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The worst place at a factory to work for was always the screen-printing department—the hot metal and lacquer thinner produce pungent toxins that workers have no choice but to inhale.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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The Fantasy 5 evening drawing popped up 5, 11, 15, 24 and 35, a popular choice by man and machine.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Black Moon Lilith in Sagittarius opposes the new moon in Gemini, propelling us to revolt against the status quo and insist on autonomy.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
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The 230-foot Project Zero, currently nearing launch at Vitters shipyard in the Netherlands, will be powered entirely by renewable energy, enabling up to two weeks of autonomy at sea and a virtually unlimited range.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The governors, Alfonso Durazo of Sonora and Américo Villarreal Anaya of Tamaulipas, denied any wrongdoing and called accusations against them an attempt to undermine Mexican sovereignty.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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India is also pushing for AI sovereignty, spurred in part by Beijing and Washington’s tightening grip on their tech and infrastructure.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Long before the United States declared independence from King George III, generations of Savannahians were laid to rest at Colonial Park Cemetery, a burial ground that witnessed the colonial era, the Revolution, epidemics and the city’s early growth.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Switzerland’s freedom of movement initiative with the European Union would also potentially end, should the population rise above the 10-million threshold.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
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Tokyo — When a Japanese court granted Hiromu Sakahara a retrial, there was no defendant in the dock celebrating the prospect of freedom.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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