1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 self-ruling
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—
Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
-
Calls for Oversight Democratic lawmakers appear to see an opening amid the debate.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
-
And while Republicans control the federal government, their narrow congressional majorities will necessitate at least some Democratic support, particularly in the Senate, to pass such a measure.—
Geoffrey Skelley,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In their view, independent agencies shouldn't be independent.—
Greg Rosalsky,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2025
-
For independent and franchised restaurant owners, the key to survival is adapting quickly—whether through supplier negotiations, creative menu planning, or strategic pricing adjustments.—
Gary Occhiogrosso,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
China-based e-Hang has already certified its two-person, autonomous air taxi with that country’s aviation authority.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Employees at Uber are already taking autonomous trips in Atlanta.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While pragmatism in foreign affairs is necessary, reducing the survival of a sovereign nation to a game of leverage risks trivializing the stakes at hand.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Unlike any other religious leader around the world, the leader of the world's one billion Catholics is also the leader of a sovereign nation.—
NPR,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, a separate pending lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of another part of the law that requires age verification to try to prevent minors from having access to online pornographic sites.—
Dara Kam,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2025
-
In separate campaigns, the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, plans to release a report in April on some companies that have retreated from diversity programs.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share