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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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
Legislation in 2009 that extended self-government to Greenland also recognized a right to independence under international law, an option favored by a majority of Greenlanders.
—
Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
While Nuuk exercises extensive self-government over the vast, mostly frozen island, Denmark controls its foreign and defense policy.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Mayoral powers are limited, but Mamdani can use his popularity to protect New York City’s capacity for self-government from outside interference, while cooperating strategically with the state when necessary.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
For them, local self-government has become a fortress, and the drawbridge is up.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Stefanie Dazio, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
While Nuuk exercises extensive self-government over the vast, mostly frozen island, Denmark controls its foreign and defense policy.
—Didi Kirsten Tatlow, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Mayoral powers are limited, but Mamdani can use his popularity to protect New York City’s capacity for self-government from outside interference, while cooperating strategically with the state when necessary.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
For them, local self-government has become a fortress, and the drawbridge is up.
—JSTOR Daily, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
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Within steps of one another, the law, the press and the community converged to bend the arc of American democracy.—
Alvin C. Hathaway Sr,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The Ocoee Massacre teaches us that democracy is fragile — and that silence is complicity.—
Debbie Deland,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Just like human relationships, the success of intelligent environments will depend not only on intelligence, but on tone, rhythm, restraint and trust.—
Nathanael Bondu,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
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But aggressive corporate action has yet to be matched by restraint through regulatory action, Russell said.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Unlike Chapek, who alienated Disney’s creative divisions by having the media chiefs report to his handpicked ally, Kareem Daniel, there’s a sense that D’Amaro will approach the task with more delicacy, giving Walden a level of autonomy.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
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His work set a precedent for autonomy and creative control as hip-hop became a commercial juggernaut in the ’90s.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Suggesting even nominal support for Israeli sovereignty over much of the Middle East is an unprecedented departure from American foreign policy.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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This unit will also enforce Florida’s existing foreign adversary laws — including restrictions on land ownership — and expand accountability to companies and individuals aligned with hostile regimes that threaten Floridians’ privacy, security and sovereignty.—
February 17,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
25 Feb. 2026
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What is at issue is the relationship between artistic freedom and institutional independence.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His detention on Thursday drew sharp condemnation from press freedom advocates, who described it as an attack on media independence and democratic norms.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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The state’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, and major GOP candidates to replace him have largely framed their responses to the measles outbreak around the concept of medical freedom, particularly when discussing vaccine mandates.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 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 26 Feb. 2026.
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