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
Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous, and less sovereign.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2025
Indeed, the great puzzle of federalism – and the great challenge for courts – has been to figure out the boundaries between state and federal power and how two sovereigns can coexist.
—Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Adjective
And Moscow had long since agreed, in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act—an accord signed by 35 states across the Cold War divide—that sovereign countries had the right to choose their own alliances.
—Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2025
This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous, and less sovereign.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
The seal of a nation or state is used for authenticating documents of high importance or high ceremony issued in the name of the sovereign or the chief executive authority, such as the president or governor.
—Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2025
Indeed, the great puzzle of federalism – and the great challenge for courts – has been to figure out the boundaries between state and federal power and how two sovereigns can coexist.
—Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
-
Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Boseman, who died in 2020 at age 43, was completely committed to his main character of T'Challa in the Marvel movie about the advanced kingdom of Wakanda, Coogler recalled on a recent episode of Power 105.1 FM's The Breakfast Club.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and so are the Faroe Islands.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
21 Apr. 2025
-
As experts have warned, autonomous AI agents tasked with optimizing in competitive environments may behave unpredictably—gaming systems, exploiting loopholes, and pursuing goals that deviate from human intent.—
Nizan Geslevich Packin,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The dynastic rulers in the French House of Bourbon, unlike the rulers in Britain, did not cede power voluntarily; Robespierre and the Jacobins took it from them violently in the French Revolution.—
Robert D. Atkinson,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Huge Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh Found: The burial chamber in Egypt most likely belonged to a ruler in a line of kings once lost to history, researchers said.—
Noriko Hayashi,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The port has a heavy military presence in addition to being a primary hub for fuel imports, Yemeni sources said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
In addition, the university will also serve as the primary sponsor at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, scheduled for 25 May 2025.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead, the judge gave weight to testimony from his family that a separate gang called Barrio 18 in El Salvador had threatened Abrego Garcia with death because his family would not pay the gang protection money.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The gym murder case in the episode is very much separate from everything else going on with Olympia and Matty’s story.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
According to People magazine, the visit is part of the monarch’s efforts to strengthen the U.K.’s relationship with key European allies.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Such an ungainly orthography must be the fancy of some mad monarch in Britain’s history, right?—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.—
Ryan Ferrier,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The government argues that simply means that while the task force can consider a request from the Health and Human Services secretary – and even be fired for not complying – they’re supposed to exercise independent judgment.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Our coverage is independent and objective, and has not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any of these entities.—
Paul Rubio,
AFAR Media,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share