1
as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
self-government implies faith in the wisdom and essential goodness of the people
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions
steely self-government was all that kept her from lashing out at the rude customer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another
championed self-government for the nation's indigenous peoples
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-government
In a few daring sentences, Lincoln connected the antislavery movement, calling for a right to self-government in individual lives, with the right to self-government in politics.
—
Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
Ned Blackhawk considers how Native nations shaped the American conception of self-government.
—Andrew Aoyama, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
Already, 23 states have passed resolutions in support of the For Our Freedom Amendment to restore self-government.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
In 2009, Denmark granted Greenland self-government, giving the territory control over all its affairs except foreign policy and defence.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Cass Sunstein, Big Think, 5 Mar. 2026
Ned Blackhawk considers how Native nations shaped the American conception of self-government.
—Andrew Aoyama, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026
Already, 23 states have passed resolutions in support of the For Our Freedom Amendment to restore self-government.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
In 2009, Denmark granted Greenland self-government, giving the territory control over all its affairs except foreign policy and defence.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
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Thomason called on Black Kansas Citians to galvanize their voting power around two issues core to the future of democracy in Missouri.—
Freddrell Green,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
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The Catholic Church was a pillar of Franco’s dictatorship, and at least until the 1960s, the church enjoyed broad control and influence over Spanish society that waned after democracy took root.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Smith died of cardiac arrest combined with acute behavioral disturbance, cocaine use and holding restraint, The Times reported.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
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Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in the 2006 World Cup exemplifies a lack of Temperance, while excessive restraint can stifle passion.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Black Moon Lilith in Sagittarius opposes the new moon in Gemini, propelling us to revolt against the status quo and insist on autonomy.—
Lisa Stardust,
Vogue,
10 June 2026
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The 230-foot Project Zero, currently nearing launch at Vitters shipyard in the Netherlands, will be powered entirely by renewable energy, enabling up to two weeks of autonomy at sea and a virtually unlimited range.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The governors, Alfonso Durazo of Sonora and Américo Villarreal Anaya of Tamaulipas, denied any wrongdoing and called accusations against them an attempt to undermine Mexican sovereignty.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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India is also pushing for AI sovereignty, spurred in part by Beijing and Washington’s tightening grip on their tech and infrastructure.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Long before the United States declared independence from King George III, generations of Savannahians were laid to rest at Colonial Park Cemetery, a burial ground that witnessed the colonial era, the Revolution, epidemics and the city’s early growth.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Switzerland’s freedom of movement initiative with the European Union would also potentially end, should the population rise above the 10-million threshold.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
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Tokyo — When a Japanese court granted Hiromu Sakahara a retrial, there was no defendant in the dock celebrating the prospect of freedom.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Noun
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This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2022
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Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.—
Barton Swaim,
WSJ,
27 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-government. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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