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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The film offers a child-psychology tip for fiercely independent kids (like Beesha) about learning to accept help from others, plus some none-too-subtle critiques of lying leaders who sow division.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
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Her potential ascension to the budget panel was repeatedly highlighted by her campaign in 2020 as a way to sway Maine's fickle - and often decisive - independent voting bloc.—
NPR,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Only men were invited to Muttaqi’s first news conference on Friday, which was described by many Indian reporters, press groups and opposition politicians as an affront to India’s democratic principles and press freedom.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
14 Oct. 2025
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Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s concerns about democratic erosion have been unusually pointed.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Waymo will be responsible for the autonomous software, while Lyft will manage and maintain the fleet.—
Stuart Dyos,
Nashville Tennessean,
20 Oct. 2025
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The system isn't fully autonomous, no matter what the name suggests.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In one of his latest notes, the strategist downgraded European investment-grade bonds from banks to underweight from neutral, saying sovereign fiscal risk — most notably in France — poses more downside risk to the banking sector.—
Caleb Mutua,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
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Saudi Arabia announced another new huge real estate project to be developed by its sovereign wealth fund.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Croup swells the upper area of the passageways— lungs are a separate issue.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
14 Oct. 2025
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During three separate Starship launches since October, SpaceX returned the massive spacecraft's rocket booster at its South Texas launch site to be caught by its giant tower with metal arms.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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