as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
the newly created United States opted for self-rule rather than monarchy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-rule
In the face of such isolation, Taiwan sustains the core legal markers of sovereignty recognized in international law: command of territory, a permanent people, self-rule, and the conduct of relations beyond its borders with states and international bodies.
—
Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
Another theme is independence, drawing on Hungary’s historic struggle for self-rule and allowing Magyar to recast the support Orbán has received from the United States and Russia as a liability.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
That spirit of self-rule returns Tuesday, when primary voters will pick party nominees across the 2026 ballot.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
But, after eleven months of self-rule led to a surge in violent crime and yawning inequality, nostalgia for a purer form of justice began to crop up in the pages of the press and in public lectures.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Among those present were members of the community La Candelaria, in the municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas, which has been demanding self-rule for years.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
While acknowledging Palestinian self-rule in Areas A and B, Oren said a fully sovereign Palestinian state is impossible.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Washington is caught between preventing a collapse of its Kurdish partners’ self-rule enclave — which played a central role in defeating Islamic State in Syria — and supporting Sharaa’s bid to consolidate control over the rest of the country.
—Reuters, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Hundreds gathered in Copenhagen on Saturday in support of Greenland and its right to self-rule.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
Another theme is independence, drawing on Hungary’s historic struggle for self-rule and allowing Magyar to recast the support Orbán has received from the United States and Russia as a liability.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
That spirit of self-rule returns Tuesday, when primary voters will pick party nominees across the 2026 ballot.
—Gromer Jeffers Jr, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026
But, after eleven months of self-rule led to a surge in violent crime and yawning inequality, nostalgia for a purer form of justice began to crop up in the pages of the press and in public lectures.
—Anand Gopal, New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2026
Among those present were members of the community La Candelaria, in the municipality of San Cristobal de las Casas, which has been demanding self-rule for years.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
While acknowledging Palestinian self-rule in Areas A and B, Oren said a fully sovereign Palestinian state is impossible.
—Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Washington is caught between preventing a collapse of its Kurdish partners’ self-rule enclave — which played a central role in defeating Islamic State in Syria — and supporting Sharaa’s bid to consolidate control over the rest of the country.
—Reuters, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Hundreds gathered in Copenhagen on Saturday in support of Greenland and its right to self-rule.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-rule
democracy
Noun
-
In Qalqilya, a city where no slates registered to participate at all, Marwan Ennabi said elections didn't reflect that Palestinian democracy was thriving or capable of changing the deteriorating conditions on the ground.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Our democracy works best when voters choose their representatives — not the other way around.—
Allyson Meyers,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-rule. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
