as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another
despite pessimistic predictions, self-governance has worked out well for the former colony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-governance
Earlier Saturday, hundreds of people in Greenland’s capital braved near-freezing temperatures, rain and icy streets to march in a rally in support of their own self-governance.
—
Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
In 2004, the agreement was updated to add Greenland, which established some self-governance in 1979, as a signatory.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Conservatives believe that America is exceptional, that our American Experiment stands alone as a beacon of hope and self-governance throughout the globe.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
This year, the United States military is celebrating its 250th anniversary—two and a half centuries of Americans making the immense sacrifice to defend our fundamental freedoms and uphold the promise of self-governance at home and around the globe.
—Ellen Gustafson, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-governance
Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
In 2004, the agreement was updated to add Greenland, which established some self-governance in 1979, as a signatory.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
Conservatives believe that America is exceptional, that our American Experiment stands alone as a beacon of hope and self-governance throughout the globe.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
This year, the United States military is celebrating its 250th anniversary—two and a half centuries of Americans making the immense sacrifice to defend our fundamental freedoms and uphold the promise of self-governance at home and around the globe.
—Ellen Gustafson, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-governance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governance
Noun
-
Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The report arrives as Yale and its Ivy League peers are under pressure from multiple directions — not just a skeptical public, but a federal government that has used funding as a direct lever against campus autonomy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dispensaries on tribal land were the first to open because of their sovereignty and ability to make their own rules.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
When the deal to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which claims sovereignty over the Indian Ocean territory, was first announced it was fully supported by the US.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
No company embodies the American ideas of freedom, independence, perseverance and individuality more than Harley-Davidson.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Luke Kennard, who last month was competing for additional bench minutes as a sharp-shooting specialist, recognized the proverbial freedom as well.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That balance between structure and freedom is what allows Larter to fully inhabit Angela.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-governance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governance. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
