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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of self-government
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
Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in 2009.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Those who charge that mail ballots are not secure undermine confidence in elections, without proof, and discourage participation, erode trust, and weaken the very foundations of self-government.
—Coalition, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2026
Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in 2009.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 17 Jan. 2026
Those who charge that mail ballots are not secure undermine confidence in elections, without proof, and discourage participation, erode trust, and weaken the very foundations of self-government.
—Coalition, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
-
European Union lawmakers and many Western watchdogs had no longer considered the country a full democracy.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The myth of ‘Sunshine’ A special session on the budget is bad for democracy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The department is currently investigating more than two dozen facilities and says, while most providers recognize the need for regulation, some don't think the laws around restraint and seclusion should apply to them.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The volunteer, named Jacki and played with warm restraint by Tessa Thompson, has been slowly developing a friendship with Yarris, a mercurial but undeniably charismatic character played by Adrien Brody, your go-to actor for any slight man with a loping, unsteady energy.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beiruty follows Andrea across seven years, threading stop-motion animation through a sustained dialogue with her subject about autonomy, compromise and self-determination.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The report arrives as Yale and its Ivy League peers are under pressure from multiple directions — not just a skeptical public, but a federal government that has used funding as a direct lever against campus autonomy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dispensaries on tribal land were the first to open because of their sovereignty and ability to make their own rules.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
When the deal to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, which claims sovereignty over the Indian Ocean territory, was first announced it was fully supported by the US.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The integrity, independence, and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
15 Apr. 2026
-
No company embodies the American ideas of freedom, independence, perseverance and individuality more than Harley-Davidson.—
Ricardo Torres,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Luke Kennard, who last month was competing for additional bench minutes as a sharp-shooting specialist, recognized the proverbial freedom as well.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That balance between structure and freedom is what allows Larter to fully inhabit Angela.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
