sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
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2

sovereign

2 of 2

noun

variants also sovran

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sovereign contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sovereign are autonomous, free, and independent. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

Where would autonomous be a reasonable alternative to sovereign?

The meanings of autonomous and sovereign largely overlap; however, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When would free be a good substitute for sovereign?

While the synonyms free and sovereign are close in meaning, free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.

you're free to do as you like

When is independent a more appropriate choice than sovereign?

In some situations, the words independent and sovereign are roughly equivalent. However, independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.

the colony's struggle to become independent

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 sovereign
Adjective
No one is seriously suggesting that either of these countries is on the verge of a sovereign debt crisis. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025 Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF, is one of the main backers, alongside Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s firm. Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
Around the same time, William and Kate attended a commemorative event for the late sovereign less than 10 miles away in Sunningdale. Max Foster, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Credit markets and ratings agencies—whose job is to be cold-eyed about risk—have registered that transformation: Moody’s upgraded the sovereign to Aa3 in Nov. 2024, S&P raised the Kingdom to A+ in March 2025, and Fitch affirmed A+ with a stable outlook in July 2025. Ali Shihabi, Time, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • Those designing the new main building decided to cut that association, the aim being to make the first-team facilities an area players must aspire to enter.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In addition, Zacapa, the premium main sponsor of spirits at LAFS, will once again present the Visionary of the Year Award during the summit’s closing cocktail ceremony.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This demonstration highlights LimX Dynamics’ progress in embodied intelligence and autonomous motion while giving Oli a place in the list of highly agile and perceptive humanoid robots to look out for in the future.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025
  • And the company is outfitting these facilities with high-tech equipment such as autonomous forklifts, to the tune of $200 million.
    Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the plans sparked a dispute with the Oba of Benin, the traditional ruler, who argued that the items were stolen from his ancestors and should be returned to his family.
    Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Successive Iranian rulers believed that dams, deep wells, and inter-basin transfers could outsmart geography and climate.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Pathways, promises and potential are always the primary motivations.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Five years later Augusta had a stroke, with Ed acting as primary caretaker.
    JR Radcliffe, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Its dual-tank water system keeps clean and dirty water separate, while the multi-surface brush roll handles sealed hard floors and rugs.
    Caitlyn Martyn may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The study, conducted by a research team in Denmark, included an analysis of 19 separate clinical trials that evaluated tramadol versus a placebo in treating various types of chronic pain.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • William, 43, has been supportive of his father following Buckingham Palace’s announcement in Febuary 2024 that the monarch was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Princess Elisabeth is set to make history as Belgium’s first queen regnant, the country’s first reigning female monarch.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Goodall was known as the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees after spending decades studying them in the wild in Tanzania's Gombe Stream National Park.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees whose work was captured in more than 40 documentaries, died Wednesday in California.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Miner preachers and independent churches were central to the organization of miners in eastern Kentucky in the 1930s, too, during another period of violence between mine operators and miners over conditions, wages and unionization.
    The Conversation, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Programs are housed in state attorney general offices, in nonprofits and even as independent agencies.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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