Synonyms of sovereign

sovereign 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsä-v(ə-)rən 

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

• main
• primary
• foremost
• predominant
• principal
• chief
• big
• greatest
• dominant
• central
• supreme
• highest
• key
• first
• cardinal
• capital
• overriding
• leading
• paramount
• premier
• master
• primal
• overbearing
• prior
• preeminent
• eminent
• grand
• overmastering
• number one
• great
• No. 1
• illustrious
• major
• senior
• distinguished
• outstanding
• arch
• superior
• signal
• numero uno
• mighty
• important
• noble
• high-level
• prestigious
• notable
• stellar
• influential
• star
• unequalled
• noteworthy
• momentous
• incomparable
• unparalleled
• top
• unequaled
• matchless
• significant
• unsurpassed
• famous
• famed
• renowned
• celebrated

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• least
• last
• minor
• insignificant
• subordinate
• unimportant
• slight
• trivial
• negligible
• secondary
• collateral
• inferior
• trifling
• inconsequential
• inconsiderable
• subsidiary

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

• autonomous
• separate
• independent
• democratic
• liberated
• free
• republican
• self-governing
• freestanding
• self-governed
• self-ruling
• freed
• freeborn
• redeemed
• emancipated
• unconquered
• empowered
• enfranchised
• manumitted
• released
• unruled
• delivered
• unsupervised

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dependent
• subject
• unfree
• nonautonomous
• captive
• bound
• subjugated
• conquered
• non-self-governing
• enslaved
• subdued
• subordinate
• fettered
• subservient
• inferior

sovereign

2 of 2

noun

ˈsä-v(ə-)rən 

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

• ruler
• monarch
• emperor
• king
• potentate
• autocrat
• prince
• tsar
• dictator
• overlord
• Caesar
• suzerain
• emir
• tyrant
• sultan
• queen
• empress
• satrap
• despot
• czar
• amir
• lord
• shah
• kaiser
• mikado
• tzar
• authoritarian
• mogul
• coruler
• khedive
• paramount
• ameer
• fuehrer
• Big Brother
• khan
• monocrat
• führer

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

Recent Examples of sovereign

Adjective

Piper Sandler does not draw any comparisons, but the recent example of Turkey is salient, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pursued low interest rates against rising inflation, fired central bankers who disagreed, and appointed himself the head of a sovereign wealth fund. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025

But the source raised concerns about statements that Trump is willing to pursue similar deals more broadly, and Hassett’s argument that federal equity in Intel could be viewed as a downpayment on a sovereign wealth fund. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 26 Aug. 2025

Noun

Staff and wire reports REUTERS King Charles III is paying a highly symbolic visit to Canada, which recognizes him as its sovereign, amid ongoing claims by President Donald Trump that the nation should become America's 51st state. —USA Today, 28 May 2025

The reception was held just 30 minutes from the Castle of Mey, which is closed to visitors from July 24 to Aug. 8 — suggesting that the sovereign might be staying there. —Janine Henni, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025