self-government

noun

ˌself-ˈgə-vər(n)-mənt How to pronounce self-government (audio)
Definition of self-governmentnext
1
as in democracy
government in which the supreme power is held by the people and used by them directly or indirectly through representation self-government implies faith in the wisdom and essential goodness of the people

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2
as in restraint
the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions steely self-government was all that kept her from lashing out at the rude customer

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3
as in autonomy
the state of being free from the control or power of another championed self-government for the nation's indigenous peoples

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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-government The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the US Constitution. — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 26 June 2026 The First Amendment was written to protect the speech that makes self-government possible. — Paul Oestreicher, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2026 In 1776, few people believed this new version of self-government would last. — John Stossel, Oc Register, 30 May 2026 In 1917, Deep Springs College, a college focused on student self-government and manual labor, opened on a California cattle ranch. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
  1. democracy
  2. restraint
  3. autonomy
  4. sovereignty
  5. independence
  6. freedom
  7. independency
Noun
  • The ruling, the first of its kind under Hong Kong’s Societies Ordinance, has raised alarms over freedom of association as authorities continue tightening controls after the 2019 democracy protests.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Their ideas on topics from education to energy could shape our democracy and even influence today’s decision makers.
    — USA TODAY Network Staff Reports, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of democracy
Noun
  • If the answer is yes, then waiting ceases to be a strategy of restraint and begins to look like gradual erosion of power and strength.
    — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of restraint
Noun
  • Bareilles is mourning a few things — the deaths of close friends, dreams of easy fertility, assumptions of female autonomy, the American dream — but the music soars, more often than not.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Historically, the United States has sent mixed messages to Europeans, encouraging them to step up but then scolding them for seeking autonomy.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of autonomy
Noun
  • Ibrahim Traoré, who took power after a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso has presented food production as a sovereignty issue.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Lokotah works for Sunlight Media Collective, documenting stories at the intersection of Wabanaki sovereignty and environmental justice.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of sovereignty
Noun
  • Cyprus was split along ethnic lines in 1974, and Turkish Cypriots declared independence in 1983.
    — Andrew Wilks, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Lewis admitted that the experience has impacted not only her independence but her confidence as well.
    — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of independence
Noun
  • The grand scale of cosmic time reminds her (and us) that social mores and strictures are tiny, meaningless things, that what matters is passion and freedom.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Mason eventually petitioned for her freedom in court and was freed in 1856 along with several members of her family.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of freedom
Noun
  • Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.
    — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
  • His seemingly daily attacks on freedom of speech, the independency of the judiciary, the right to vote and other pillars of our constitutional system are bolstered by an intensely loyal fan base.
    — Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020
Definition of independency

Browse Nearby Words

self-governing
self-government
self-gratulatory
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Cite this Entry

“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-government. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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