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 The true fight is for self-determination and restitution; anything less is unacceptable. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 While wide hips were considered a problem area not so long ago, designers are now erecting a sort of fashion monument to them—as a symbol of sensuality, strength, and self-determination. — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026 Produced as a Hong Kong-US collaboration, the film explores identity, family, cultural displacement, and the difficult choices faced by those navigating between tradition and self-determination. — Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 23 July 2026 The Constitution’s architects, despite notoriously excluding many Americans from the political community, wished those who were granted the right of self-determination to be able to do so on an equal basis. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 July 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
  • In May, The Athletic exclusively reported that Mourinho was Perez’s choice to replace Alvaro Arbeloa as manager at the end of 2025-26.
    — Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As for metal, solid gold, whether yellow, white, or rose, remains the steadiest choice, aging with grace and holding its value across the years.
    — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • Separate laws for settlers and Palestinians The roughly 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy in population centers.
    — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Prosenjak and her management team retain operating autonomy, according to the company.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • Regional conflicts disrupt stability, while economic security and technological sovereignty take on greater weight relative to the interconnectedness that characterized previous decades of globalization.
    — Armand Arton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • To deter China from threatening its sovereignty, Taiwan could restrict its critical semiconductor industry.
    — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • The scary transition to independence Young adults living away home, without a highly structured school day with classes and extracurriculars dominating most of their time, are going to make mistakes.
    — Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • What has inspired me most isn’t just their strength, independence and resilience, but the way their divorce has transformed into a beautiful starting point for something better.
    — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • The Council of Urban Professionals' 5th Annual MV Summit celebrated thought leadership in AI, financial freedom, luxury, and community building.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In a blow to press freedoms within the US military, the Pentagon has forced out several top staffers at Stars and Stripes, the military publication with a long record of editorial independence.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of freedom

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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 22 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on self-determination

Nglish: Translation of self-determination for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-determination

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