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
The two deals bring the sovereign wealth fund’s total investment in London this year to £876 million. Karen Gilchrist,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 Until the political and military situation stabilizes and Israel can have security guarantees that there is indeed a sovereign entity in control of Syria, which will limit the approach by various terror organizations, Israeli troops will be deployed. Amelie Botbol, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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 The sovereign is known to reach for watercolors and has brought his paint set along for royal tours all over the world through the years. Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • Approach with caution, look at reviews, and maybe don’t use your main credit card (or at least keep your bank’s dispute line handy).
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 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
  • Trump's ambitions aren't far-fetched, according to an international relations expert who told ABC News that there are some avenues in which the U.S. could realistically acquire the autonomous Danish territory.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Among the company’s strengths is the potential to actually benefit from the rise of autonomous vehicles, Cramer said, instead of losing out, as some investors have feared.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The dynastic rulers in the French House of Bourbon, unlike the rulers in Britain, did not cede power voluntarily; Robespierre and the Jacobins took it from them violently in the French Revolution.
    Robert D. Atkinson, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Huge Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh Found: The burial chamber in Egypt most likely belonged to a ruler in a line of kings once lost to history, researchers said.
    Noriko Hayashi, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The primary suite is a private retreat with a quiet patio, spacious loft area and large his-and-her walk-in closets — complete with a shoe wall and sitting.
    David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Since then, some of the key elements have been incorporated into NASA's Design Reference Missions, still the primary set of plans for reaching Mars.
    Space.com Staff, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah features a separate bedroom and two bathrooms across 622 square feet, while the Concierge Royal Suites with Verandah have the same, but in more than twice the size at 1,781 square feet; both sleep up to five.
    Susan B. Barnes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025
  • State police said the man was involved in a separate crash near Exit 24 on I-395 and walked into the highway’s right lane and a Kia Sportage traveling in the right lane and was unable to avoid the man.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to People magazine, the visit is part of the monarch’s efforts to strengthen the U.K.’s relationship with key European allies.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon after Charles became the first British monarch to address both houses of Italian parliament.
    Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Aslak de Silva, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Saltzman said China and Russia, which military leaders consider America's foremost strategic competitors, are moving ahead of the United States with technologies and techniques to attack satellites in orbit.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • They are also designed as a form of soft diplomacy, modeling independent journalism that incorporates dissent from government policy.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • As recently as last spring, polls showed that almost half the population of Catalonia would choose to be independent from the rest of Spain.
    Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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