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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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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Recent Examples of self-government
On this day in 1952: With the establishment of its constitution, Puerto Rico attained self-government as an unincorporated commonwealth of the United States, 54 years after it was invaded by U.S. forces.
—
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
Maintaining and strengthening public broadcasting preserves media diversity and advances important principles of self-government.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 21 July 2025
When a president wants to do a decent job — at the least, respecting democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law — the magnet produces an administration of people who respect our institutions of self-government.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Citizens and leaders who cherish self-government and the rule of law should welcome the forthcoming recommendations from the ABA Task Force.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025
Maintaining and strengthening public broadcasting preserves media diversity and advances important principles of self-government.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 21 July 2025
When a president wants to do a decent job — at the least, respecting democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law — the magnet produces an administration of people who respect our institutions of self-government.
—Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 15 July 2025
Citizens and leaders who cherish self-government and the rule of law should welcome the forthcoming recommendations from the ABA Task Force.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
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Europe’s fundamental values are prosperity, equity, freedom, peace and democracy in a sustainable environment.—
David Doty,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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On the other end of the spectrum, Peru is widely seen as having extremely weak institutions and is ranked 78th in The Economist’s democracy index.—
Sofía Benavides,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Cox also called for restraint in reaction to Kirk’s assassination, noting that residents of Utah did not riot or loot or engage in violence, and instead held vigils and said prayers.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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Despite efforts by the Biden administration to constrain the spyware market through its executive order, trade and visa restrictions, and sanctions, the industry has continued to operate largely without restraint.—
Vas Panagiotopoulos,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The English song is inspired by ‘90s boom bap hip-hop, exuding the singer’s self-assurance, autonomy, and fearless nature.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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From Kerouac’s On the Road to Ridley Scott’s Thelma and Louise, the car has been our cultural shorthand for autonomy and escape.—
Henrietta Moore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Peace cannot be achieved by ceding sovereignty.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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As with much of the South China Sea, Beijing asserts sovereignty over wide swaths of territory that overlap with claims by other governments—including the Philippines.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The craft seller at a roadside market is earning her independence.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The trial and prosecution of Bolsonaro became a test for the independence of Brazilian judiciary, which did not buckle under domestic or international political pressure.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Critics and rights groups argued that both the ban and the bill function as tools for censorship, threatening freedom of expression, press freedom and fundamental rights.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-government. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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