sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
Definition of sovereignnext

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
Any country that wants to be sovereign has to be able to resist software sanctions, restrictions, or weaponization. Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Roosevelt’s refusal settled, for a century, that in America only the people are sovereign. Gautam Mukunda, Mercury News, 20 June 2026
Noun
Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been designated as the official marker for the sovereign's birthday in 1748, during the reign of George II. Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 12 June 2026 On Saturday, King Charles will step onto the Buckingham Palace balcony for Trooping the Colour, the centuries-old annual military ceremony that celebrates the sovereign’s birthday. Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • Because Swift has no docking ports or grappling fixtures to grab onto, Katalyst built its 880-pound, 5-foot tall LINK spacecraft with a custom robotic capture mechanism that will attach to a feature on the satellite’s main structure.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • One of the festival’s main attractions is the FIFA store, an 8,000-square-foot indoor facility on the east side of the grounds.
    Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • Murdaugh’s attorneys filed several pretrial motions last week, including requests for a change of venue, for further independent testing of DNA evidence and for Murdaugh to get access to a computer behind bars.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • Audiences are very motivated to support independent filmmakers, and that’s a good thing for all of us.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Mnangagwa has been in power since 2017, when the military backed the ouster of his mentor and Zimbabwe's longtime ruler, Robert Mugabe, who died in 2019.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
  • Democracies are composed of citizens with free will, not subjects cowering at the feet of rulers.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Brazil cruised past Scotland in a dominant victory in Miami.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 25 June 2026
  • Without registering a goal or an assist, Pedri has been the best passer in a Spain midfield unit that has looked secure and dominant with the ball, albeit against two far less talented opponents.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The robot is designed for 24/7 operation, with autonomous charging and hot-swappable dual batteries minimizing downtime.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026
  • In the federal filing, Waymo says the autonomous vehicle may enter and drive at speed in freeway construction zones because the software may fail to recognize the zone or may prioritize avoiding other freeway hazards.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The British monarch meets with the prime minister every week.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
  • The Dutch monarchs, who were joined by their daughter Princess Ariane, began the day by watching Holland rout Sweden 5-1 in a Group F match.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Roughly two-thirds of American households own their primary residence, according to the Federal Survey of Consumer Finances from 2022, the most recent edition.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • The capacity of the primary viewing area at the Washington Monument is set at about 150,000, according to Secret Service Special Agent in Charge David Yamen, who runs the agency's dignitary protective division.
    Maria Sullivan, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Smith says in a separate interview.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026
  • Though acquitted of murder, Simpson later was found liable for the deaths in a separate civil case.
    John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.

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