1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18
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2
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region
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Recent Examples of self-governing
Administration officials heralded the law as liberation from the constant vulnerability of relying on chip-makers in Taiwan, a self-governing island only 100 miles off the Chinese coast that is claimed by Beijing.
—
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governing
Adjective
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Huemer started out in the independent film scene of 1980s New York, directing fourteen feature films before pivoting to engineering and industrial leadership.—
Kody Boye,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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An independent regulatory commission will now be set up to decide on suitable punishments.—
James Pearce,
The Athletic,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The decision came in a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic states challenging DOGE's authority to access sensitive government data.—
Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports,
arkansasonline.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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Last week, the White House sent termination notices to several U.S. attorneys around the country who had been appointed by Democratic former President Joe Biden.—
Jasper Ward,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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To put this in perspective, autonomous vehicles in the commercial area will do about 15 million miles of driving in a virtual world in an hour of training on the cloud.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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Scientists do not yet know how to guarantee that autonomous agents won't use harmful or unethical methods to achieve a set goal.—
Harry Booth,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The event is backed by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which Bloomberg estimates holds $925 billion in assets under management.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2025
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Thames Water is part of a group of companies known as the Kemble Water Group that are owned by a consortium of institutional shareholders – mostly pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.—
Emma Graham,April Roach,
CNBC,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In a separate note on Monday, analysts at Germany’s Mwb Research upgraded their price target for Hensoldt to 45 euros ($47.12) per share from 43 euros per share, but downgraded the stock from a buy to a hold.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
17 Feb. 2025
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When this proved inadequate, the Constitution made the presidency separate from the Congress and gave the office significant independent powers and vigor.—
The Editors,
National Review,
17 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to self-governing
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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