as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation
the newly created United States opted for self-rule rather than monarchy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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-rule
Nevertheless, for the foreseeable future, the benefits of preserving Taiwan’s de facto self-rule do not warrant the enormous human and economic costs of a U.S.-Chinese war.
—
Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
This royal visit only encouraged it Israel occupies the West Bank but allows the Palestinian Authority nominal self-rule as part of a peace process in the 1990s that saw Palestinian factions end armed conflict with Israel with the promise of a future Palestinian state that remains unfulfilled.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
The corruption, incompetence, and unpopularity of the Palestinian Authority and the influence and popularity of Hamas understandably make Israelis view any increase in Palestinian self-rule as a danger.
—Elliott Abrams, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2025
Yet, in 1991, Hussein’s loss in the Gulf War proved to be a turning point, resulting in de facto Kurdish self-rule in northern Iraq.
—Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made By History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
The 1993 Oslo Accords, for example, relied on maps to provide the framework for Palestinian self-rule in return for security for Israel.
—Christine Leuenberger, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2025
For the first time, there was hope for Palestinian self-rule, but corruption and internal strife plagued the PA’s governance.
—Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
The island gained self-rule in 2009, giving it authority over most domestic matters, while Denmark retains control of foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy.
—Deena Zaidi, Quartz, 16 Jan. 2025
Thirty years later, Denmark expanded Greenland’s self-rule and under that agreement, Greenlanders have the right to hold a referendum on independence.
—Maya Tekeli, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
This royal visit only encouraged it Israel occupies the West Bank but allows the Palestinian Authority nominal self-rule as part of a peace process in the 1990s that saw Palestinian factions end armed conflict with Israel with the promise of a future Palestinian state that remains unfulfilled.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
The corruption, incompetence, and unpopularity of the Palestinian Authority and the influence and popularity of Hamas understandably make Israelis view any increase in Palestinian self-rule as a danger.
—Elliott Abrams, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2025
Yet, in 1991, Hussein’s loss in the Gulf War proved to be a turning point, resulting in de facto Kurdish self-rule in northern Iraq.
—Sefa Secen & Serhun Al / Made By History, TIME, 7 Feb. 2025
The 1993 Oslo Accords, for example, relied on maps to provide the framework for Palestinian self-rule in return for security for Israel.
—Christine Leuenberger, The Conversation, 7 Feb. 2025
For the first time, there was hope for Palestinian self-rule, but corruption and internal strife plagued the PA’s governance.
—Efrat Lachter, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025
The island gained self-rule in 2009, giving it authority over most domestic matters, while Denmark retains control of foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy.
—Deena Zaidi, Quartz, 16 Jan. 2025
Thirty years later, Denmark expanded Greenland’s self-rule and under that agreement, Greenlanders have the right to hold a referendum on independence.
—Maya Tekeli, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-rule. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share