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
That data—whether captured before, during, or after a sporting event—has a level of sovereign criticality to drive winning or even explain losing. Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 22 May 2025 On May 12, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund announced the establishment of AI startup Humain. Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Noun
The significant moment marks just the second time that a royal has opened Parliament, and will be the third time a sovereign has delivered a speech from the throne. Greta Bjornson, People.com, 20 May 2025 But there is no global sovereign, just a balance of national powers. Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • Cities To Visit Hood River Known as the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River is also one of the gorge’s main hubs for dining, shopping, and stays.
    Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
  • It was later expanded to include four main ventilation channels (and some 50,000 smaller shafts) serving seven levels, which could be closed off from the inside with a large rolling stone.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Latinum, the second-place winner, provides payment middleware enabling Model Context Protocol builders to monetize their services, allowing AI agents to manage budgets and make autonomous payments.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Baku, for its part, now positioned itself as a more autonomous actor, capable of engaging with Russia, Turkey, and the West on its own terms.
    Zaur Shiriyev, Foreign Affairs, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • In addition to claiming the second-most No. 1s of all time, Linkin Park has also scored multiple long-running rulers.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The death in 2022 of a young Iranian Kurdish woman in the custody of the morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules sparked Iran's biggest domestic unrest since the 1979 revolution that brought its clerical rulers to power.
    Miranda Murray, USA Today, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • The dining room and kitchen lead to an expansive primary suite overlooking the backyard terrace.
    David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
  • The gluteus medius muscle, a smaller buttock muscle located underneath the gluteus maximus, is the primary muscle supporting the pelvis. 4.
    Aubrey Bailey, Verywell Health, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Center for Biological Diversity had filed a separate, similar lawsuit.
    Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
  • The motor vehicle offenses are separate from charges filed against the teen on May 15, when he was charged with first-degree riot, conspiracy to commit first-degree riot and first-degree reckless endangerment.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The name is inspired by the Spanish royal family’s practice of gifting pairs of merino sheep to other monarchs to honor its relationships.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 May 2025
  • Charles has signaled his support for Canada recently, but the monarch faces a tricky balancing act as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is working to keep Trump onside over Ukraine and trade ties.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • The foremost conflict playing out across the Middle East today is between Israel and Iran, a nation that already possesses a sophisticated and large-scale nuclear program.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Kennedy's announcement comes as independent advisers have been reconsidering COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, NPR reports, but the outlet notes that the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is not currently scheduled to meet until later this month.
    Greta Bjornson, People.com, 27 May 2025
  • As pope, Leo serves as leader of both the Holy See, the governing body of the Catholic Church, and Vatican City, an independent state.
    Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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