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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Clarkson has also been open about her daughter's independent personality.—
Julie Tremaine,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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With more than two decades of experience, Rodriguez advises studios, streamers and independent producers on how to effectively position and market projects to diverse global audiences.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Walker, who was governor from 2011 to 2019 when Democratic Gov. Tony Evers defeated his bid for a third term, has made a series of posts on X signaling interest in a potential new bid for the governor.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
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Most people in the racially diverse, heavily Democratic state capital of Tallahassee now have a white congressman living 100 miles away in Panama City.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Real-World Robotics In the U.S., for example, heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar is successfully using autonomous arms for welding and machining in its factories.—
Alexander Clausbruch,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Major corporations are investing heavily into autonomous vehicles.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Paradoxically, Aramco is key to Saudi efforts to wean itself off oil: The company’s dividends power Riyadh’s $1.15 trillion sovereign wealth fund, which plays a growing role in the domestic economy, and future stock sales could accelerate that effort.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Already on the hunt, Mubadala Energy (part of the UAE’s $330 billion sovereign wealth fund) has acquired a 24% stake in a venture being launched by the $6 billion assets private equity group Kimmeridge.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Both Elvis Presley and The Beatles have done so with four separate charting entities.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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As a secondary option, Engine suggests that if a standalone path does not appear viable then the board should consider selling the entire company or splitting LSS and BPS into separate entities.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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