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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 government argues that simply means that while the task force can consider a request from the Health and Human Services secretary – and even be fired for not complying – they’re supposed to exercise independent judgment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
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Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Even democratic leaders have joined the chorus of those turning inward.—
Jennifer Lotito,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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The 60th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson’s famous March 15, 1965, voting rights speech is an important reminder of the power of moral suasion when applied in support of basic democratic principles.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and so are the Faroe Islands.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
21 Apr. 2025
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As experts have warned, autonomous AI agents tasked with optimizing in competitive environments may behave unpredictably—gaming systems, exploiting loopholes, and pursuing goals that deviate from human intent.—
Nizan Geslevich Packin,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In January, BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink revealed he’s had discussions with sovereign wealth funds about buying bitcoin and predicted such conversations could catapult the bitcoin price to $700,000 per bitcoin.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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Limited partners are institutional funds — for example, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds or hedge funds — that put money into venture funds.—
Natasha Turak,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The gym murder case in the episode is very much separate from everything else going on with Olympia and Matty’s story.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
18 Apr. 2025
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The new project is completely separate from the 2020 attempt to reboot Clueless for Peacock.—
Daniel S. Levine,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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