1
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
she left home and became entirely self-governing and financially independent at the age of 18
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2
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
a self-governing nation that could be a role model for other countries in the region
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Recent Examples of self-governing
Administration officials heralded the law as liberation from the constant vulnerability of relying on chip-makers in Taiwan, a self-governing island only 100 miles off the Chinese coast that is claimed by Beijing.
—
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023
Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory, is under growing pressure from China, which has not ruled out using force to seize control.
—Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2023
The Chinese Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory, despite having never controlled it, and refuses to rule out the use of force.
—Nectar Gan, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
The satirical news follows the very real law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that wrests control of the resort’s self-governing district.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2023
Disney’s self-governing status endured because the company’s unrivaled political power in Florida made its arrangement virtually untouchable.
—Ron Desantis, WSJ, 28 Feb. 2023
Beijing suspended talks in August after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own.
—Christian Shepherd, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023
The creation of the self-governing district was instrumental in Disney’s decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s.
—Anthony Izaguirre, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governing
Adjective
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One way for state lawmakers to move forward would require wresting power from the independent state redistricting commission, which voters approved in 2008 to oversee redistricting.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
26 July 2025
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That goal, however, is complicated by a constitutional amendment that requires an independent commission to lead the process.—
Leah Askarinam,
Chicago Tribune,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Walker, who was governor from 2011 to 2019 when Democratic Gov. Tony Evers defeated his bid for a third term, has made a series of posts on X signaling interest in a potential new bid for the governor.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
26 July 2025
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Most people in the racially diverse, heavily Democratic state capital of Tallahassee now have a white congressman living 100 miles away in Panama City.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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But California regulators are making clear that Tesla is not authorized to carry passengers on public roads in autonomous vehicles and would require a human driver in control at all times.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
26 July 2025
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The automaker has made progress in robotics, autonomous vehicles, EV charging infrastructure, and more.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is reportedly finalizing a $4 billion tourism project in Ras Alam El-Rum, east of Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, as part of a broader plan to invest $7.5 billion in Egypt.—
Manal Albarakati,
semafor.com,
25 July 2025
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The Middle East has become more and more intertwined with the global investing stage, especially with the deep pockets of sovereign wealth funds and family offices.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Another caller, a case worker, was assisting two separate individuals who was defrauded by con artists impersonating immigration attorneys via Facebook and WhatsApp.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
24 July 2025
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The deal will also lower the tariff the United States charges on Japanese auto exports, which are subject to a separate tariff schedule, to 15 percent, including a preexisting tariff of 2.5 percent.—
Ana Swanson,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-governing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governing. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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