sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
1
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
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
  • Punk is deeply tied into current main-event storylines with real-life married couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, so the impending couples brawl is a great story.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The stages of the eclipse include penumbral and umbral phases, which refer to the two main parts of the shadow that the moon casts.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Nvidia Halos: Drive Safe Then there’s Halos, a program aimed at making sure that all of these autonomous vehicles will operate safety on the road.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • The second Boaty is an autonomous underwater vehicle that’s smaller, bright yellow, and beloved for her fitting identifier.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 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
  • Judge Marilyn Zayas dissented, arguing the appeals court did not have jurisdiction because prosecutors currently are appealing a separate issue to the Ohio Supreme Court related to the Jones case.
    Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Rock 'n' Roller Coaster changes At a separate media preview preceding Destination D23, Disney revealed more details on the reimagining of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Though most monarchs live their entire lives in castles and palaces, the late queen was not born expecting to ascend to the throne.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died in 2022 at age 96.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Agni Ghosh, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Now, one of the family’s foremost talents has struck out on her own, pioneering a new roster of wines that reflect her own passions and interests.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jim Walden, independent candidate for New York City mayor, on Tuesday dropped out of the race while calling on other hopefuls to get behind the second-most popular choice in an effort to defeat New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The political maelstrom caught the attention of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who capitalized on the drama over the cellphone legislation to make a pitch for his independent campaign to be Michigan's next governor.
    Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on sovereign

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!