jurisdiction

noun

ˌju̇r-əs-ˈdik-shən How to pronounce jurisdiction (audio)
Definition of jurisdictionnext
as in government
lawful control over the affairs of a political unit (as a nation) the United States has no jurisdiction over Cuba

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun jurisdiction contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of jurisdiction are authority, command, control, dominion, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," jurisdiction applies to official power exercised within prescribed limits.

the bureau having jurisdiction over parks

In what contexts can authority take the place of jurisdiction?

The words authority and jurisdiction can be used in similar contexts, but authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits.

granted the authority to manage her estate

When can command be used instead of jurisdiction?

The synonyms command and jurisdiction are sometimes interchangeable, but command implies the power to make arbitrary decisions and compel obedience.

the army officer in command

When might control be a better fit than jurisdiction?

In some situations, the words control and jurisdiction are roughly equivalent. However, control stresses the power to direct and restrain.

you are responsible for the students under your control

When is it sensible to use dominion instead of jurisdiction?

While the synonyms dominion and jurisdiction are close in meaning, dominion stresses sovereign power or supreme authority.

given dominion over all the animals

When is power a more appropriate choice than jurisdiction?

While in some cases nearly identical to jurisdiction, power implies possession of ability to wield force, authority, or influence.

the power to mold public opinion

When would sway be a good substitute for jurisdiction?

Although the words sway and jurisdiction have much in common, sway suggests the extent of exercised power or influence.

the empire extended its sway over the region

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 jurisdiction Compounding the problem, the Los Angeles area has more than 100 jurisdictions, many of which have their own set of rules and regulations regarding filming. —Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 Trump issued a pardon to Peters in December that was considered symbolic, because a president doesn't have jurisdiction over state-level crimes. —Bente Birkeland, NPR, 15 May 2026 Not just by dint of wealth, though that helps, but because the region is carved up into separate jurisdictions with seemingly no logic. —Meghan Daum, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026 When deployment slows in regulated jurisdictions but accelerates elsewhere, the work migrates, and workers who are meant to be protected lose access to both the productivity gains and the career pathways. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for jurisdiction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for jurisdiction
  1. government
  2. rule
  3. administration
  4. governance
Noun
  • His critics accuse him of crony capitalism and of gaining preferential treatment from the government, including in winning contracts, which the group has denied.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
  • Anthropic was granted a preliminary injunction in its San Francisco case, allowing government agencies other than the DOD to use Anthropic’s models while the litigation unfolds.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Definition of government
Noun
  • Hernandez will continue competing under CIF rules permitting transgender participation and is scheduled to compete Saturday, May 16, before advancing to the CIF finals in Clovis later this month.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • According to Anthropic, decisions made before 2028 could determine whether democratic nations or authoritarian governments shape the future rules and standards surrounding advanced AI.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 May 2026
Definition of rule
Noun
  • And so rivals again assailed Becerra’s performance as state attorney general and Health and Human Services secretary in the Biden administration.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
  • Andrade is used to clashing with the DeSantis administration.
    — Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 15 May 2026
Definition of administration
Noun
  • That requires investment not only in governance frameworks that protect sovereignty, privacy, and equitable benefit-sharing, but also in the digital infrastructure, research institutions, and technical talent needed to move from data generation to AI development and deployment.
    — Francisca Mutapi, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
  • Without measurement, governance is a policy document, not a management system.
    — Shiv Kaushik, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026
Definition of governance

Browse Nearby Words

jurisconsults
jurisdiction
jurisdictions
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Cite this Entry

“Jurisdiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/jurisdiction. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on jurisdiction

Nglish: Translation of jurisdiction for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about jurisdiction

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