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
China claims the democratic self-governing island as its own, and Xi has not ruled out using force to take it.
—
David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Lawmakers want to see the weapons sales move as anxiety rises that Taiwan — home to a majority of the world’s most advanced computer chips — could face an attack from China, which considers the self-governing island its territory.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
These comments came after recent talks between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about American support for the self-governing island.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Taiwan is a self-governing island that China claims as its own territory.
—Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 14 May 2026
When those three things come together, patient safety stops being a values statement and becomes a self-governing system.
—Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
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
David Rising, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
Lawmakers want to see the weapons sales move as anxiety rises that Taiwan — home to a majority of the world’s most advanced computer chips — could face an attack from China, which considers the self-governing island its territory.
—Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
These comments came after recent talks between Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about American support for the self-governing island.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Taiwan is a self-governing island that China claims as its own territory.
—Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 14 May 2026
When those three things come together, patient safety stops being a values statement and becomes a self-governing system.
—Joe Kiani, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governing
Adjective
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Cepeda has advocated for a more independent foreign policy and greater Latin American integration, while right-wing candidates Abelardo de la Espriella and Paloma Valencia have argued for closer alignment with Washington on security and economic issues.—
Sebastian Jimenez,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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Local businesses, such as independent coffee shops, small law or accounting firms, boutique fitness studios, and neighborhood landscaping companies, often have job openings.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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In War and Peace, Tolstoy’s concept—among a million other things—was to show how the young people who lived through the Napoleonic invasion went on to lead Russia’s first democratic uprising, the Decembrist Revolt of 1825.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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But Rubio cautioned that Venezuela remains far from a democratic transition, saying the country still lacks the conditions necessary for free elections and continues to hold hundreds of political prisoners.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Snow, slush and messy weather can challenge autonomous vehicles in ways sunny streets cannot.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
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Designed for operation in complex real-world environments, Dyno integrates a sophisticated AI system with a highly responsive sensor suite that enables autonomous navigation, situational awareness, and human-robot interaction.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Gulf SWFs ramp up spending despite Iran war Against the backdrop of the Iran war, Gulf sovereign wealth funds have stepped up dealmaking over the last few months–with the five biggest funds collectively investing nearly $26 billion at a higher deployment pace than over the previous five years.—
Alyson Shontell,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
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Today, the fund is the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, holding and profiting from more than $2 trillion in stocks, bonds, infrastructure and real estate.—
Ola Morris Innset,
The Dial,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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