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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-government
Because as our founders knew so well, human nature recoils all too often at the inconveniences and frustrations of self-government.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Religious freedom and freedom of speech make up the engine of self-government and form a bulwark against tyranny.
—Kristen Waggoner, National Review, 5 July 2025
This experiment in self-government is being challenged by bitter partisanship that make Americans on one side of the political divide view their opposites as enemies, not fellow citizens.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
To many early Americans, particularly those within the Washington and Adams administrations, self-government rendered popular protest illegitimate and obsolete.
—Time, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
Religious freedom and freedom of speech make up the engine of self-government and form a bulwark against tyranny.
—Kristen Waggoner, National Review, 5 July 2025
This experiment in self-government is being challenged by bitter partisanship that make Americans on one side of the political divide view their opposites as enemies, not fellow citizens.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
To many early Americans, particularly those within the Washington and Adams administrations, self-government rendered popular protest illegitimate and obsolete.
—Time, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
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Aside from the most ardent Bolsonaro loyalists, Brazilians—regardless of ideology—don't take kindly to foreign leaders telling them how to run their democracy.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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The standoff may extend longer than other US-Latin America disputes, one expert noted: Brazil’s president may view the dispute as profitable politically, many Brazilians think the case could define the country’s democracy, and Brasília has little reason to capitulate quickly.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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In the second photo, the animals are freed of their restraints — one of the pets is crawling about the bin while the other stays in its shell.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
24 July 2025
-
Fuentes faces charges of home invasion, disorderly conduct, interfering with an emergency call, violation of protective order, third-degree assault and second-degree unlawful restraint.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Instead, managers should empower teams with clear goals, autonomy and accountability.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Even so, ever since Trump took office for a second time and started to consolidate his control over the entire federal government—including supposedly independent agencies—the autonomy of the Fed has again been called into question.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Noun
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With strong regulatory foresight and a commitment to digital sovereignty, the region is turning trust and transparency into competitive advantages.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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The East Asian neighbors have two ongoing disputes in the East China Sea: one over the sovereignty of the uninhabited Senkaku island group—administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing as the Diaoyu Islands—and the other over energy exploration in the region.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Still, activists among these communities frequently accuse the government of oppression, while others have taken up arms in the name of greater autonomy or even independence.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
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This funding will help provide the tools and resources these new young adults need to obtain temporary housing, bridging the gap between foster care and independence.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
29 July 2025
Noun
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Throughout his directing career, Eastwood has translated his belief in personal responsibility and personal freedom—an ideal of independence—into art.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 July 2025
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This is suitable for gamers who want the freedom of a wireless connection but with the agility of a USB connection.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-government. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
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