1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
the United States officially recognizes 18 as the age at which someone is entitled to self-determination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another
rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 self-determination
Trust parents, empower them and protect the precious self-determination that has always fueled educational and community progress.
—
Aziza Butler, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The right to self-determination can become the right to self-destruction.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The time has come for the Palestinian people to achieve their right to self-determination and establish their state on their own land, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and international legitimacy.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
There is a better path: ending the occupation through Palestinian self-determination and statehood, possibly anchored in regional normalization deals between Israel and Arab states.
—TIME, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Aziza Butler, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
The right to self-determination can become the right to self-destruction.
—Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
The time has come for the Palestinian people to achieve their right to self-determination and establish their state on their own land, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and international legitimacy.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Mar. 2025
There is a better path: ending the occupation through Palestinian self-determination and statehood, possibly anchored in regional normalization deals between Israel and Arab states.
—TIME, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
Noun
-
For those not skilled in cooking, baking, or crafting, a bottle of wine may seem like an obvious choice for a host gift.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
21 Apr. 2025
-
There were some bad choices and some unfortunate deaths.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In 2019, the Indian Parliament passed a law that revoked the region's administrative autonomy, which many in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had blamed for the violence that has rocked the Himalayan valley.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2025
-
While Farrelly's startup couldn't always compete on pay, the flexibility, autonomy and calmer pace drew in nurses quickly — especially those looking to leave high-stress hospital jobs.—
Mike Winters,Lauren Shamo,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The country's current head of state, President Joseph Aoun, is an independent who has both called for Hezbollah to disarm and for Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Leaders of Ukraine, meanwhile, are pushing to maintain independence and sovereignty.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Real-Life Examples Of Evolving Goals A couple who planned to retire early shifts their focus to charitable work after achieving financial independence.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Washington controversially backed Islamabad during the 1971 War of Bangladeshi independence, which oversaw what many analysts describe as a genocide against Bangladeshis.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a time when everything feels expensive, that kind of freedom is priceless.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
18 Apr. 2025
-
According to legend, when the Spanish invaded, some Muisca chose to leap from the waterfall rather than surrender, believing they would be transformed into condors, soaring to freedom.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share