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
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Recent Examples of self-determination
One of those feelings is the desire for self-determination — more so, even, than a desire to be surrounded by friends — paving the way for a new story in the series’ next inevitable season.
—
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
The precise cut of her trousers, the strategic placement of cufflinks, the calculated tilt of a fedora—these elements compose not merely an outfit but a visual argument about belonging, authority, and self-determination.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 12 May 2025
Style, in this tradition, is both self-expression and self-determination.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
But the Netherlands wanted the approximately 500,000 Papuans who inhabited the territory—a largely Christian people who did not want unification with Muslim Indonesia—to achieve self-determination, charging Sukarno with being neo-imperialist.
—Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
The precise cut of her trousers, the strategic placement of cufflinks, the calculated tilt of a fedora—these elements compose not merely an outfit but a visual argument about belonging, authority, and self-determination.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 12 May 2025
Style, in this tradition, is both self-expression and self-determination.
—Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
But the Netherlands wanted the approximately 500,000 Papuans who inhabited the territory—a largely Christian people who did not want unification with Muslim Indonesia—to achieve self-determination, charging Sukarno with being neo-imperialist.
—Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
-
Impossible decision Nicole and Kyle then had a choice to make.—
Karen Weintraub,
USA Today,
16 May 2025
-
The process was grueling, but in her mind, there was no other choice.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
The law is working exactly as intended — helping people facing unbearable suffering to die on their own terms, with dignity and autonomy.—
Christie Golemb,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
-
In December 1970, Pakistan held parliamentary elections amid widespread demands by Bengalis for greater autonomy.—
Simon Montlake,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Even after the restoration of full sovereignty with German reunification in 1990, German officials still trod lightly.—
Mark I. Vail,
The Conversation,
16 May 2025
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As a result, its ability to translate regulatory ambitions into digital sovereignty is limited.—
Ian Bremmer,
Foreign Affairs,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
Her mission is to empower these individuals through transformative life and career coaching, fostering personal growth, independence and long-term well-being.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
-
Crisis when a radical Quebec separatist group, the Front de Libération du Québec (FLQ), kidnapped high profile politicians to escalate their battle for independence from Canada and lead Ottawa to impose the War Measures Act.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Noun
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The trial has implications not only for Combs' freedom but for the future of his business interests.—
Amanda Castro
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Experts say the moves will create a vacuum for promoting freedom and representative government, and could accelerate what many see as antidemocratic trends around the world.—
Christine Fernando,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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