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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Instead of a royal patriarch ruling over voiceless subjects, America would be a fraternity of virtuous (male) citizens, created equal in their potential for self-government.
—
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Composed of neighbors, parents, and community members, school boards are modern-day town halls where self-government is not just discussed but enacted.
—Scott Levy, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Outrage fades, the unthinkable becomes routine, and the guardrails that protect self-government quietly disappear.
—Aron Solomon
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
At smaller scales, new places have made advances in self-government.
—Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Composed of neighbors, parents, and community members, school boards are modern-day town halls where self-government is not just discussed but enacted.
—Scott Levy, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Outrage fades, the unthinkable becomes routine, and the guardrails that protect self-government quietly disappear.
—Aron Solomon
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
At smaller scales, new places have made advances in self-government.
—Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
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During his 10 years in town, the Haitian-American scholar and civic leader — based at the LBJ School for Public Affairs — has written book after clarifying book on the intersection of race and democracy.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
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Rubio sat on the board of the International Republican Institute, which provided training to fledgling democracies, teaching candidates how to campaign and poll watchers how to observe elections.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Chef David Richter cooks with confidence and restraint (his mole is the real deal); co-owner Jessica Richter manages the dining room.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
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The kitchen, a blank slate designed by Zazueta with selections guided by Thacker, balances modern living with historic restraint.—
Gina Mayfield,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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McDaniel could have autonomy over Philadelphia’s offense and build a career at a place that’s been a springboard during the past decade.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
-
As legal risks grow, so does their determination to protect access and bodily autonomy.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The new agreement says that Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are non-negotiable elements of any peace deal and warned that its self-defense is essential to its own security and wider Euro-Atlantic stability.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Fundamentally, sending in our own military to make the arrest on foreign soil without the consent of the other country would still violate international law and the sovereignty of Venezuela.—
Elie Mystal,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In some countries, their recent liberation from imperial rule (The Philippines, Iran, Morocco, among others), tinged the era with eagerness for a future defined by independence.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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Several former heads of the central bank have come out against the move, characterizing it as an attempt to undermine the independence of the Federal Reserve, which is authorized by Congress to set monetary policy independent of the President's wishes.—
Time,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Authorities have not said whether the incident constitutes a hate crime, but Jackson Mayor John Horhn framed it as an attack on the Jewish faith and religious freedom.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Jan. 2026
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But those hoping for a decisive intervention that tips the balance toward freedom will be disappointed.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
11 Jan. 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 19 Jan. 2026.
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