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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of self-determination
Aries is the first spark — the purest expression of lifeforce, urgency, and self-determination.
—
Colin Bedell, Them, 14 Jan. 2025
Our ultimate vision is to become an independent state and to exercise our international right to self-determination, free from colonization or coercion.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Cottonwood resident Nathan Wayne Entrekin, 51, dressed as Capt. Moroni, a figure from the Book of Mormon who fought for self-determination for the Nephites.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
Kwanzaa unfolds across seven nights, each of them dedicated to one of seven principles, among them unity, self-determination and collective work.
—Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-determination 
Colin Bedell, Them, 14 Jan. 2025
Our ultimate vision is to become an independent state and to exercise our international right to self-determination, free from colonization or coercion.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Cottonwood resident Nathan Wayne Entrekin, 51, dressed as Capt. Moroni, a figure from the Book of Mormon who fought for self-determination for the Nephites.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 3 Jan. 2025
Kwanzaa unfolds across seven nights, each of them dedicated to one of seven principles, among them unity, self-determination and collective work.
—Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
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In a lengthy news conference after casting his vote on Sunday, Lukashenko maintained that Belarus is a democracy because his rivals were given a choice.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN,
27 Jan. 2025
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So, Brown was left with no choice but to fulfill her civic duty, and take Parker with her to court.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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From its inception, the anti-vaccine movement has been intertwined with a range of political, moral, and spiritual ideas around the rights of the individual versus the community, the limits of governmental power over bodily autonomy and faith in medical expertise, and institutional knowledge.—
Helen L. Murphey / Made by History,
TIME,
29 Jan. 2025
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Research highlights three tensions in particular which, if left unchecked, risk alienating employees and failing to deliver the benefits of job deconstruction: Balancing autonomy and control, balancing detachment and belonging, and balancing growth and stability.—
Philip Rogiers
David G. Collings,
Harvard Business Review,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Still, both advisers said that the commission has the power to protect Europe’s sovereignty, and to force the platforms to be more transparent.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
27 Jan. 2025
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Colombia’s action came as numerous countries in Latin America are attempting to figure out how to deal with the week-old Trump administration, pledging cooperation on some immigration issues but also seeking fair treatment and respect for their own national sovereignty.—
Tracy Wilkinson,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The emotional weight of losing that independence is difficult to quantify, but its impact is profound.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
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Although Trump remains an advocate of U.S. energy dominance and independence, Alamariu expects this stance will help oil stocks more than oil prices.—
Brian Evans,
CNBC,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The petitioners, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that the ruling discriminates against St. Isidore and violates constitutional protections for religious freedom, citing recent Supreme Court precedents like Carson v. Makin.—
Kaelan Deese,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
24 Jan. 2025
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Read: The GoFundMe fires In moments of tragedy or upheaval, not all Angelenos can take their freedom of mobility for granted, in part because of how Southern California infrastructure has developed over the past century.—
Hannah Giorgis,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near self-determination
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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