sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
1
2

sovereign

2 of 2

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
Israel has faced criticism over the attack, with Arab nations, the United Kingdom and France all condemning the attack that took place on sovereign land. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025 According to Morningstar, since 2021, crossover investors including sovereign wealth funds, private equity buyout firms, and hedge funds have been involved in roughly 5,000 private market transactions totaling $450 billion. Sarah Min, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Around the same time, William and Kate attended a commemorative event for the late sovereign less than 10 miles away in Sunningdale. Max Foster, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Credit rating agencies are sharpening their focus on climate vulnerability, raising questions about whether sectors or sovereigns with large protection gaps could face higher borrowing costs. Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • The character collection leans into more alternate builds for main characters.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Use jig and pigs 18 to 25 feet deep along brush piles or main lake points with a gradual slope.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • It is designed to enable operator decisions in real time, providing the human touch while teleoperating robotic systems and tasking them with complex autonomous functions.
    Leonard David, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Though many are optimistic over the long term if Musk can pull off a transformation of the company to focus more on autonomous driving, artificial intelligence and robotics.
    John Melloy, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Every ruler, every plan, every prophecy has been tested against the unruly currents of human will and the undertow of chance.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The song is the act’s second ruler and first sung by Jakob Nowell, son of late frontman Bradley Nowell.
    Kevin Rutherford, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Last week, Reuters reported that Pulte’s own father and stepmother had declared two homes in two different states as their primary residence, prompting a town in Michigan to remove a tax exemption for their home there and charge the couple for back taxes.
    Chris Prentice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • But today, technology was not his primary concern.
    Elie Ofek, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • A couple with two pricey cars should run the numbers on separate filing this year.
    Peter J Reilly, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Both Delta and Aeromexico said in separate statements that the carriers were disappointed by the department's decision and were reviewing the order before considering next steps.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And in 2016, Hadid was the first woman to win the RIBA Gold Medal, which recognizes an individual’s substantial contributions to international architecture on behalf of the British monarch.
    Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The monarchs of the Arab Gulf would like to maintain their unchallenged domestic political status while expanding their influence in the Middle East and beyond.
    David Mednicoff, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In 1951, Husseini’s associates murdered one of his foremost rivals, King Abdullah of Jordan.
    Sean Durns, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Ryan Hohman, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Charter schools are overseen by independent boards, overwhelmingly, like nonprofit boards of directors that manage the oversight and then follow all or most of the same government rules related to public schools.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Employers increasingly wonder whether campuses are cultivating independent thinkers or just cautious followers.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sovereign

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!