self-governed

adjective

ˌself-ˈgə-vərnd How to pronounce self-governed (audio)
Definition of self-governednext
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another far beyond the reach of civil or military authorities, the settlers on the frontier were essentially self-governed

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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-governed Villa Marin is self-governed by its residents who own their apartments and pay an average of $6,000 a month in HOA fees. — Itay Hod, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 If individuals are self-governed and do the right thing, less laws and cameras are needed. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 As a management company, RealManage supports the association’s right to be self-governed. — Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949, after Nationalist forces fled to the island following their defeat by Chinese Communist powers. — Solcyré Burga, Time, 29 Dec. 2025 Overcrowded, under-resourced, and often effectively self-governed, these facilities have long served as incubators where armed groups recruit, reorganize, and expand their influence. — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 10 Dec. 2025 Greenland, which became self-governed in 2009, was colonized by Denmark some 300 years ago and still controls Greenland’s foreign and defense policies. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Local nonprofit Safe Ground Sacramento was responsible for operating the camp, which was self-governed by residents. — Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-governed
  1. independent
  2. autonomous
  3. sovereign
Adjective
  • The maintenance requests have kept engine repair and overhaul facilities backed up, from those owned by manufacturing giants GE Aerospace and RTX unit Pratt & Whitney to smaller, independent ones.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • To pinpoint the exact moment of this turnaround, Young’s team used two independent dating methods.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of independent
Adjective
  • Why Uber Eats keeps putting robots on sidewalks Despite the controversy, companies continue investing in autonomous delivery because the technology offers some practical advantages.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • When vision keynotes and customer stories promise an autonomous future, but lived experiences don’t match up, trust fades.
    — Chris Koehler, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of autonomous
Adjective
  • In addition to the £120 million infusion, the UK also plans to dole out £60 million to a sovereign AI fund to help boost domestic AI companies, and £18 million to boost homegrown chip design.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Europe's sovereign debt worries are starting to show up in corporate borrowing costs, potentially leaving some companies with less cash to invest or return to shareholders, according to Goldman Sachs.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of sovereign

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self-governed
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Cite this Entry

“Self-governed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-governed. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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