sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
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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
So, as to call into question the very existence of Ukraine as a free democratic and sovereign nation. / Cbs News, CBS News, 11 May 2025 The emblem is traditionally fixed to official State documents to indicate royal approval and is esteemed as a symbol of sovereign authority. Janine Henni, People.com, 10 May 2025
Noun
The sovereign had met Pope Francis during a state visit to Italy at the beginning of April. Blanche Marcel, Glamour, 28 Apr. 2025 The shattered sovereign was then melted into bullets. John Hanc, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • Two main issues are conveyed: No credible debt management approach exists.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • This addition sees another key member of the iconic D-Generation X (DX) faction contributing behind the scenes, joining Triple H, who heads main roster creative, Shawn Michaels, who is in charge of NXT creative, and Road Dogg, currently working as a co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Under state law, autonomous vehicles are allowed in Florida, with licensed operators able to operate them remotely.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2025
  • But Tesla is not currently sitting on a fleet of several hundred thousand ex-lease autonomous Models 3 and Y, and as of today there exists no actual Tesla ride-hailing network.
    Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • The arid peninsula off Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, similar in size to Connecticut, boasts deep reserves of oil and gas that have made the country the fourth-wealthiest in the world by per capita GDP and enriched its rulers, the House of Thani.
    Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Flashpoint Kashmir has been a flashpoint since 1947, when British India was hastily divided into two by its former colonial rulers.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • Arriving first responders conducted a primary assessment of the scene and learned that two people were trapped in a Toyota Corolla, officials said.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2025
  • It's led by a 200-megapixel primary camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide, with a 12-megapixel selfie camera.
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • The victim was later identified as Terry Lee Gambrel, a 25-year-old Marine corporal, who had hitched a ride with Kraft to meet friends at a party, the sheriff's department said in a separate release.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • Thorn says that, while coincidental, the two acquisitions happened on separate timelines.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Corruption might be business as usual under monarchs, where the very purpose of a state is to serve its king.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that Prince Harry’s pleas to reconcile with his family, while also airing dirty laundry, could undermine Charles’ leadership as a monarch who is battling cancer.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The signatories of this letter include some of the UK’s foremost experts in artificial intelligence, whose work bridges cutting-edge research and real-world application.
    Philip Salter, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
  • Insofar as the Trump campaign had any specific policy planks, indiscriminate tariffs were foremost among them.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Screening of independent film The Grotto, written and directed by Joanna Gleason and starring Betsy Brandt, Dan Bucatinsky, Jonathan del Arco, Steve Kazee, Susan Sullivan and more.
    Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2025
  • The blockade has pushed half a million people in Gaza to starvation, according to the latest review by independent experts on famine.
    Aya Batrawy, NPR, 15 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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