variants
also sovran
1
as in main
coming before all others in importance
the sovereign issue for voters is the inadequate performance of the local schools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in autonomous
not being under the rule or control of another
a sovereign state whose domestic policies are its own business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also sovran
as in ruler
one who rules over a people with a sole, supreme, and usually hereditary authority
after the current sovereign dies, the monarchy may be abolished
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Dan Fellner, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
The sovereign state of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia will only exist for a matter of months.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 4 May 2025
There are just 24 Companions, and appointments are at the monarch's sole discretion to recognize public service or personal service to the sovereign.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Adjective
Relations between Norway and Israel are strained — last year Norway formally recognized Palestine as a sovereign state.
—Dan Fellner, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
The sovereign state of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia will only exist for a matter of months.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Noun
Political cousins Canada and Australia share a lot in common: a political system, a major mining industry, a sovereign in King Charles.
—Matina Stevis-Gridneff, New York Times, 4 May 2025
There are just 24 Companions, and appointments are at the monarch's sole discretion to recognize public service or personal service to the sovereign.
—Simon Perry, People.com, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
-
These tickets have to be redeemed at the Florida Lottery main office in Tallahassee or one of the district offices.—
David J. Neal
July 6,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2025
-
The Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team, which includes Victoria state police, federal police and Australia's main domestic spy agency, said the fire was likely a politically motivated attack.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
The autonomous vehicle industry is expected to expand considerably, and Waymo is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this burgeoning market.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Ukraine launched autonomous craft from catapults and snared Russian drones in fishing nets.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Princess Mako, a niece of Japan's Emperor Naruhito (and whose younger brother is the likely next ruler of Japan), married her longtime love, Kei Komuro, in a simple ceremony at a registry office on Oct. 26, 2021.—
Alex Apatoff,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
In 2019, during the first Trump administration, the State Department invoked a similar authority under the budget act to impose visa sanctions on Raúl Castro, the island's ultimate ruler, and his sons and daughters.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Now Vest has 15 saves and has blossomed into the Tigers’ primary ninth-inning option.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
-
For starters: The Heat returned to what essentially is their primary summer lineup, with Ware back after being held out of Tuesday’s finale of the California Classic.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Breakthroughs on four separate fronts—bigger and better hardware, smarter algorithms, hybrid quantum-classical workflows and developer-friendly software—are compounding to pull the future forward.—
Yuval Boger,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Meeting the challenge of finger-level control Achieving separate movement for each robotic finger is a real challenge.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The reigning monarch would get the final say in granting approval to a club.—
Mike Fore,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
Biya came to power in 1982 and has remained in office for more than four decades, becoming one of the globe’s longest-serving heads of state, excluding monarchs.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
First launched in 1985, FIBO has become one of the earth’s foremost fitness and wellness-focused trade shows, with roughly 130,000 participants set to convene in Cologne, Germany in April 2026.—
Jared Ranahan,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
Paul, a foremost Republican critic against Trump’s tariff policy, said the latest tariff, which Trump said would go into effect Aug. 1, could lead to a slippery slope that harms the U.S.’s economic standing and Wall Street.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The Retired Public Employees Association of California launched a crowdfunding effort to finance an independent investigation into CalPERS’ private equity investment, among other concerns, last month.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 July 2025
-
The above findings stem from a global study by the Upwork Research Institute of 2,500 professionals, including C-suite executives, full-time employees and independent freelancers.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share