self-determination

noun

ˌself-di-ˌtər-mə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce self-determination (audio)
Definition of self-determinationnext
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

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2
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another rebels fighting for the territory's self-determination

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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 Lamin has led a peaceful campaign supporting the right of Western Sahara to self-determination, a dream of Sahrawi refugees that has been frustrated for more than half a century. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 More importantly, the agreement affirms Greenland's sovereignty and right to self-determination while preventing non-NATO countries from establishing a military presence without the parties' approval. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 Denmark and Greenland have stressed that the arrangement will not compromise the island's sovereignty or right to self-determination. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026 And an agreement that at the same time recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination. — Michelle Stoddart, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-determination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-determination
  1. choice
  2. autonomy
  3. sovereignty
  4. independence
  5. freedom
Noun
  • And per-action authorization proves an instruction was permitted, not that the decision behind it was sound; an agent manipulated into a bad choice within its authority still needs monitoring and human oversight.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • For now, however, Bangladesh’s garment workers—and billions across the Global South—have little choice but to endure given scant signs of relief in oil markets.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of choice
Noun
  • The jet’s modular design enables rapid integration of mission systems and mission autonomy software.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rooted in feminism and unfolding against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis, the works consider flesh and the human body with brutal honesty, viewing them as vessels for trauma, mortality, and political autonomy.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • Lula has instead emphasized multilateralism, ties with the Global South and China — Brazil’s largest export market — and his resistance to Trump’s tariff measures as a defense of national sovereignty.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The three providers built around European technology received a higher sovereignty rating.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • The three lines of defense model reinforces accountability while preserving appropriate independence.
    — Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The vote had faced concerns of possible foreign interference after Canadian newspaper the Globe and Mail reported Republican operatives had assisted top separatist leaders with their independence bid.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • My first exit gave me that freedom, but also a sense of unfinished business.
    — Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The decades-long contract with Cheniere indicates that Qatar sees a risk that freedom of navigation will never return to Hormuz as Iran keeps attacking tankers, Munton said.
    — Spencer Kimball,Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of freedom

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self-destructs
self-determination
self-determining
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Cite this Entry

“Self-determination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-determination. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on self-determination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-determination

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