sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
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2

sovereign

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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
Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund owns 33 percent, while Italy’s Tamburi Investment Partners owns 8 percent. Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025 That has led to major global tech players like Amazon and Microsoft to announce new sovereign cloud initiatives to ensure the data of European users is stored within the EU. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
Credit rating agencies are sharpening their focus on climate vulnerability, raising questions about whether sectors or sovereigns with large protection gaps could face higher borrowing costs. Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Princess Marie Caroline's grandfather, Prince Hans-Adam II is the sovereign, but her father, Prince Alois, 57, has acted as head of state since 2004. Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which has organized dozens of boats to sail to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid, said that one of its main vessels was targeted in a drone strike just after midnight local time on Tuesday while docked near the Tunisian capital.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tribhuvan International Airport, the country's main international airport, was also shut down due to smoke in the area.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Tony Xu, cofounder and CEO of food and grocery giant DoorDash, doesn’t sugar coat the company’s efforts, and challenges, developing autonomous delivery technologies.
    Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Tirias Research Watching and waiting for the automotive market to transition to autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been a painful experience.
    Jim McGregor, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Writers and rulers across Europe and the Americas have looked back to Virgil’s epic as a model for their own founding myths, in the construction of new nations, new colonies, new empires.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • These include American Tanto, sheepfoot, serrated and saw blade options, as well as unconventional choices like a comb and can opener/ruler/wrench/seatbelt cutter single-piece multitool.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Given the steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access, hand crews and aviation resources will remain the primary suppression tools.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Charlotte voters will finalize their primary picks for mayor and City Council on Tuesday.
    Josh Bergeron, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the end, Sutton-Schulman won the Triangle Springs appeal, but Highmark classified L’s treatment at Menninger as two separate admissions.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Luna's Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets was established in February 2025 and is a separate House Oversight subcommittee from the one that last held a hearing on UFOs in November.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And in 2016, Hadid was the first woman to win the RIBA Gold Medal, which recognizes an individual’s substantial contributions to international architecture on behalf of the British monarch.
    Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The monarchs of the Arab Gulf would like to maintain their unchallenged domestic political status while expanding their influence in the Middle East and beyond.
    David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 1951, Husseini’s associates murdered one of his foremost rivals, King Abdullah of Jordan.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Ryan Hohman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To have a chance at winning in November, a Democratic candidate will need to draw independent voters and sway on the fence Republicans, in addition rallying Democrats, Rottinghaus said.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Though most sightings can be identified as planes, balloons, drones and weather events, the independent group says more sophisticated scientific research is needed, along with efforts to remove the stigma of reporting UFOs (sorry, UAP).
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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