as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
far beyond the reach of civil or military authorities, the settlers on the frontier were essentially self-governed
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Recent Examples of self-governed
Being self-governed is one of the essential human needs, and those who have a firm sense of their self-concept are able to manage their emotions well and make wiser choices.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Mar. 2026
As a management company, RealManage supports the association’s right to be self-governed.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, after Nationalist forces fled to the island following their defeat by Chinese Communist powers.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 29 Dec. 2025
Overcrowded, under-resourced, and often effectively self-governed, these facilities have long served as incubators where armed groups recruit, reorganize, and expand their influence.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 10 Dec. 2025
Greenland, which became self-governed in 2009, was colonized by Denmark some 300 years ago and still controls Greenland’s foreign and defense policies.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Local nonprofit Safe Ground Sacramento was responsible for operating the camp, which was self-governed by residents.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
Council membership is entirely self-governed, vendor free, and prioritizes cross-industry members to ensure nuanced perspectives.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 Mar. 2026
As a management company, RealManage supports the association’s right to be self-governed.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, after Nationalist forces fled to the island following their defeat by Chinese Communist powers.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 29 Dec. 2025
Overcrowded, under-resourced, and often effectively self-governed, these facilities have long served as incubators where armed groups recruit, reorganize, and expand their influence.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 10 Dec. 2025
Greenland, which became self-governed in 2009, was colonized by Denmark some 300 years ago and still controls Greenland’s foreign and defense policies.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Local nonprofit Safe Ground Sacramento was responsible for operating the camp, which was self-governed by residents.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
Council membership is entirely self-governed, vendor free, and prioritizes cross-industry members to ensure nuanced perspectives.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 27 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governed
Adjective
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Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
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The transaction is commercial, and thus the newsroom remains independent.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to experts, these advances highlight progress in core capabilities such as real-time control, terrain adaptation, and autonomous decision-making, with implications for search and rescue, industrial operations, logistics, and defense applications.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
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Other areas of technology investment are going to creating autonomous supply chains as well as tech to help combat labor shortages and volatile shipping costs.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The sovereign rating was affirmed at Baa1.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Produced entirely within a sovereign European industrial base, TopStar Smart Receiver is assembled at Thales’ site in Valence, France.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-governed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governed. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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