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

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
Granite has partnered with other Asian organizations, like sovereign wealth funds Khazanah and the Indonesia Investment Authority. Angelica Ang, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026 For clarity, an ADIZ is an area not officially designated as sovereign airspace for a nation. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
Wurman argued that English common law established protection under a sovereign as a necessary condition to citizenship. Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025 The Christmas broadcast is one of the British monarch's most famous royal duties and serves as a way for the sovereign to reflect on the previous year, current events around the world and the meaning of Christmas. Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • Flight disruption Dubai Airports confirmed that all flights in and out of the city’s two main airports have been suspended until further notice.
    Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 1 Mar. 2026
  • Cantor was referring to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, formed in 1927 and seen as a company union whose main purpose was less to honor excellence in the motion picture arts than to keep a tight rein on artists who wanted a bigger slice of the pie.
    Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Despite being part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, the energy reads independent and design-forward.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Briefs are for businesses in Northwest Arkansas that are new, have moved or closed, opened a new branch, changed owners or have been honored by an independent organization.
    Mark Mondier, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Your co-ruler, go-getter Mars, enters the same sector on March 2, which throws more fuel behind any endeavor tied to expressing yourself or being more spontaneous and lighthearted with your nearest and dearest.
    Maressa Brown, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
  • There’s nothing wicked rulers love more than to kill all hope and instill maximum fear.
    Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Real-time robot vision Driven by labor shortages, demand for autonomous vehicles and mobile robots is increasing across logistics and smart mobility sectors.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Individuals are not autonomous decision makers but are inexorably linked.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As Dudayev spoke on a handheld satellite phone with the Moroccan monarch, Russian aircraft waited beyond visual range.
    Robert A. Pape In The Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 3 Mar. 2026
  • As the regional crisis escalated last month, members of Congress tweeted fond personal reflections on various Gulf monarchs.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The rooms All 800 accommodations are notably spacious—even the lowest tier of guest rooms features a separate seating area and floor-to-ceiling windows—and select rooms afford views of the sculptural Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Save a little time by mixing all the ingredients the day before (leaving the crumb topping separate from the rest of the casserole), then topping and baking the following day.
    Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And the film’s dominant performance, the freest and the one that goes beyond interpretation of a role to determine the movie’s tone and shape, is that of a consummate professional, Benicio del Toro.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Two goals from Cam Petrillo and a goal and assist apiece from Drew Beck, Chuck Fecteau and Rubin Williams led scoring in a deep showing anchored by dominant play from Nolan Russell.
    Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • But California has a top-two primary system in which all candidates run against each other regardless of party, advancing to the November general election if no candidate reaches 50% of the vote.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
  • The excursion was part of a larger Cook County program that is bringing early voting sites to 24 suburban Cook County high schools, allowing eligible students and staff to cast their Illinois primary ballot early with more convenience.
    Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

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