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
There is a part of me that still sees this act of self-determination as a moral failing.
—
Frances Dodds Samantha Desz Krish Seenivasan Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Her mother, a classical pianist turned educator, instilled an unshakable creative drive, while her grandmother—a St. Vincent dressmaker and real estate entrepreneur—modeled self-determination.
—Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Though Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom today, the treaty secured the main goal of the 1798 rebellion: equal rights and self-determination for all citizens, no matter their religion.
—Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Frances Dodds Samantha Desz Krish Seenivasan Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Her mother, a classical pianist turned educator, instilled an unshakable creative drive, while her grandmother—a St. Vincent dressmaker and real estate entrepreneur—modeled self-determination.
—Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Though Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom today, the treaty secured the main goal of the 1798 rebellion: equal rights and self-determination for all citizens, no matter their religion.
—Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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Without swift Congressional action, millions could lose their health coverage, and small business owners could face devastating financial choices — all in an economic climate already fraught with uncertainty.—
Brewster Bevis,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
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This is a game of choices — difficult ones, at that — in which tasks range from finding your wife and offering gifts to friends, to speaking with a skeleton who can see through time and dethroning God.—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Noun
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Read More: What the History of Saint Augustine Can Teach us About Pope Leo XIV Despite setting limits on the autonomy of the American Church, the social teachings of Leo XIII had enormous influence on Catholicism in the U.S., especially after the horrors of World War I.—
Time,
Time,
29 May 2025
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Stop micromanaging teams to death—a little autonomy helps.—
Jon Michail,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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The next wave of policy will not be about fine-tuning compliance frameworks but will be about defending digital sovereignty.—
Emil Sayegh,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
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Though voting occurred solely within Venezuelan borders, the act was a clear assertion of sovereignty.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Noun
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Mossad leadership has in past decades made direct contact with Iraqi Kurdish officials, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first and potentially only world leader to support the KRG's independence bid in 2017, prompting further regional backlash.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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However, Gomez said, the overall takeaway from the L.A. event was just how pervasive the sense of fear for press freedom has become.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Shortly after, Mars will square Uranus on June 15, creating a volatile energy between your desire for personal freedom and autonomy, versus unpredictable events that shake up your day-to-day routines and sense of stability.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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