sovereign 1 of 2

variants also sovran
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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
The two deals bring the sovereign wealth fund’s total investment in London this year to £876 million. Karen Gilchrist,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 Until the political and military situation stabilizes and Israel can have security guarantees that there is indeed a sovereign entity in control of Syria, which will limit the approach by various terror organizations, Israeli troops will be deployed. Amelie Botbol, Fox News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
Indeed, the great puzzle of federalism – and the great challenge for courts – has been to figure out the boundaries between state and federal power and how two sovereigns can coexist. Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 27 Jan. 2025 The sovereign is known to reach for watercolors and has brought his paint set along for royal tours all over the world through the years. Janine Henni, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sovereign
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sovereign
Adjective
  • The 9a's main camera takes 12MP images thanks to pixel binning, and the resulting shots are nearly identical to the Pixel 9 Pro's.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As previously reported, this year’s main competition jury president will be Juliette Binoche, who will oversee the choosing of the Palme d’Or and other festival awards alongside a jury yet to be announced.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump's ambitions aren't far-fetched, according to an international relations expert who told ABC News that there are some avenues in which the U.S. could realistically acquire the autonomous Danish territory.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Among the company’s strengths is the potential to actually benefit from the rise of autonomous vehicles, Cramer said, instead of losing out, as some investors have feared.
    Julie Coleman, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The dynastic rulers in the French House of Bourbon, unlike the rulers in Britain, did not cede power voluntarily; Robespierre and the Jacobins took it from them violently in the French Revolution.
    Robert D. Atkinson, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Huge Tomb of Unknown Pharaoh Found: The burial chamber in Egypt most likely belonged to a ruler in a line of kings once lost to history, researchers said.
    Noriko Hayashi, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The port has a heavy military presence in addition to being a primary hub for fuel imports, Yemeni sources said.
    USA Today, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Its new owner’s restoration and expansion project began in 2020, maintaining the character and materials of the original building while transforming attic space into a primary suite and opening the original attic staircase to the main floor.
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, the judge gave weight to testimony from his family that a separate gang called Barrio 18 in El Salvador had threatened Abrego Garcia with death because his family would not pay the gang protection money.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The gym murder case in the episode is very much separate from everything else going on with Olympia and Matty’s story.
    Jim Halterman, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to People magazine, the visit is part of the monarch’s efforts to strengthen the U.K.’s relationship with key European allies.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Such an ungainly orthography must be the fancy of some mad monarch in Britain’s history, right?
    Big Think, Big Think, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Iranians are responding to several inducements, foremost among them the staggering array of forces the United States has prepositioned in the Middle East.
    The Editors, National Review, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders.
    Ryan Ferrier, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As recently as last spring, polls showed that almost half the population of Catalonia would choose to be independent from the rest of Spain.
    Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Latta and an independent group of tree care professionals who have canvassed Altadena for weeks believe that many of the trees are wrongly tagged for removal.
    Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sovereign.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sovereign. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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