1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18
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2
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region
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Recent Examples of self-governing
Administration officials heralded the law as liberation from the constant vulnerability of relying on chip-makers in Taiwan, a self-governing island only 100 miles off the Chinese coast that is claimed by Beijing.
—
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governing
Adjective
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When Quaker acquired the quirky beverage brand for $1.7 billion, Snapple had built its success on unconventional marketing and distribution through small, independent distributors that matched its authentic, anti-establishment brand identity.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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It was again considered in 2008 and then, in 2014, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) — a group of independent experts that advises the WHO — took it up.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Presenting as Muslim perhaps exempted him from comparisons to 2020 Democratic Congressional candidate Sri Preston Kulkarni from Texas, who used his polyglot skills to reach a wide array of voters, but was chastised for seemingly pandering to Hindu conservatives.—
Alexandra Bregman,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Three Republicans opposed the measure — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky — alongside every Democratic senator.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Some states have worked toward laws that mandate human operators in autonomous vehicles; others have fought against the proliferation of deepfakes flooding the internet; some have taken on data privacy and more.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
1 July 2025
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Tesla’s autonomous ride hailing service went live just over a week ago with nearly a dozen robotaxis shuttling passengers in downtown Austin.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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The African Union is set to launch its own credit ratings agency this year to help challenge the establishment with additional transparency for African sovereign ratings.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
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The company’s pre-IPO investors include Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek.—
Zinnia Lee,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Organizations are shifting language, realigning DEI to business outcomes, and measuring impact to weave it into their core operations rather than treating it as a separate initiative.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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But under Taiwan's constitution, mainland China is not treated as a fully separate country.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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