1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another
rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-determination
There is a part of me that still sees this act of self-determination as a moral failing.
—
Frances Dodds Samantha Desz Krish Seenivasan Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Her mother, a classical pianist turned educator, instilled an unshakable creative drive, while her grandmother—a St. Vincent dressmaker and real estate entrepreneur—modeled self-determination.
—Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Though Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom today, the treaty secured the main goal of the 1798 rebellion: equal rights and self-determination for all citizens, no matter their religion.
—Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Frances Dodds Samantha Desz Krish Seenivasan Joel Thibodeau, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Her mother, a classical pianist turned educator, instilled an unshakable creative drive, while her grandmother—a St. Vincent dressmaker and real estate entrepreneur—modeled self-determination.
—Byron Armstrong, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Though Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom today, the treaty secured the main goal of the 1798 rebellion: equal rights and self-determination for all citizens, no matter their religion.
—Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
The issue of identity is not just a fad but becomes a fact of self-determination — in this context, Dahomey’s flaws are instructive for this moment when race and gender exploitation runs rampant and unchecked.
—Armond White, National Review, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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Goal of the season This was a choice between Bowen’s superb strike from outside the box against Ipswich and his volley against Forest.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Automating Reputation Management Online reputation drives consumer choice, with 91% looking at online reviews before hiring a contractor.—
Matthew Bentley,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Read More: What the History of Saint Augustine Can Teach us About Pope Leo XIV Despite setting limits on the autonomy of the American Church, the social teachings of Leo XIII had enormous influence on Catholicism in the U.S., especially after the horrors of World War I.—
Time,
Time,
29 May 2025
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Stop micromanaging teams to death—a little autonomy helps.—
Jon Michail,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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But Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking to seize control of the country and remove its sovereignty in an imperial war of aggression.—
Shane Croucher
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 May 2025
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Today, the insurgency has weakened, but an external threat looms larger and larger: steady Chinese encroachment on Philippine maritime rights and sovereignty, primarily in the South China Sea.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Mossad leadership has in past decades made direct contact with Iraqi Kurdish officials, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first and potentially only world leader to support the KRG's independence bid in 2017, prompting further regional backlash.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
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The region’s hip-hop culture is known for its independence and insular spirit born of a combination of pimp culture, Black Panther ideology, and funk music.—
Alphonse Pierre,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
Noun
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However, Gomez said, the overall takeaway from the L.A. event was just how pervasive the sense of fear for press freedom has become.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
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Shortly after, Mars will square Uranus on June 15, creating a volatile energy between your desire for personal freedom and autonomy, versus unpredictable events that shake up your day-to-day routines and sense of stability.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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