sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
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sovereign

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noun

variants also sovran

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sovereign contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sovereign are autonomous, free, and independent. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

Where would autonomous be a reasonable alternative to sovereign?

The meanings of autonomous and sovereign largely overlap; however, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When would free be a good substitute for sovereign?

While the synonyms free and sovereign are close in meaning, free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.

you're free to do as you like

When is independent a more appropriate choice than sovereign?

In some situations, the words independent and sovereign are roughly equivalent. However, independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.

the colony's struggle to become independent

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
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
  • As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The first drop pays homage to Jackson, Wyo., where Season 2 begins, after the two main characters found temporary refuge there in Season 1.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 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
  • His interest in sports analytics comes from his math teacher father, who handed out rulers to Trick-or-Treaters each year.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The brand new full-length arrives as a success across a number of rankings, launching atop several Billboard tallies – and this latest champion is different from his previous rulers.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 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
  • Williams pointed to rising production costs and declining attendee donations as primary reasons the Silver Room Block Party could not continue, highlighting a reality that all street festival organizers face right now.
    Pamela Maass, Chicago Tribune, 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
  • The British monarch is expected to skip the late pontiff's funeral service at St Peter's Basilica church in the Vatican on April 26, keeping in line with royal traditions, Kensington Palace confirmed to Vanity Fair and Us Weekly.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Yet, in truth, Pope Francis simply did what every other pope (or monarch, world leader, or even CEO) would do: surrounded himself with like-minded people.
    Made by History, Time, 22 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
  • The Fed is an independent government agency established by Congress.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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