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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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-government
Instead of a royal patriarch ruling over voiceless subjects, America would be a fraternity of virtuous (male) citizens, created equal in their potential for self-government.
—
Jane Kamensky, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Composed of neighbors, parents, and community members, school boards are modern-day town halls where self-government is not just discussed but enacted.
—Scott Levy, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Outrage fades, the unthinkable becomes routine, and the guardrails that protect self-government quietly disappear.
—Aron Solomon
september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
At smaller scales, new places have made advances in self-government.
—Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-government
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-government
Noun
-
On the issues of crime and immigration, Republicans were seen as more capable, while Democrats outranked them on health care and democracy.—
-
Venezuela’s Maria Corina Machado, who just won this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for years of fighting to restore democracy to her country, and Lionel Messi.—
Noun
-
But restraint does not mean passivity.—
-
The American Conservative was founded on foreign policy restraint, trade realism, and migration sanity in 2002.—
Noun
-
It is built for continuous operation, with a 4-hour battery and hot-swappable autonomy.—
-
In the aftermath, Venezuelan society became further split between the wealthy, who wanted to work with the US, and the working class, who sought autonomy from the US.—
Noun
-
The new agreement says that Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are non-negotiable elements of any peace deal and warned that its self-defense is essential to its own security and wider Euro-Atlantic stability.—
-
Fundamentally, sending in our own military to make the arrest on foreign soil without the consent of the other country would still violate international law and the sovereignty of Venezuela.—
Noun
-
Accessibility Nimmo Bay welcomes wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility—cabins and public spaces are accessible with staff support—but full independence can be challenging given the remote setting's rustic boardwalks, floating docks, and uneven natural terrain.—
-
Trump’s quips about acquiring the island have ignited international concerns about Greenland’s independence and sovereignty from lawmakers in Washington and NATO allies alike.—
Noun
-
Authorities have not said whether the incident constitutes a hate crime, but Jackson Mayor John Horhn framed it as an attack on the Jewish faith and religious freedom.—
-
But those hoping for a decisive intervention that tips the balance toward freedom will be disappointed.—
Noun
-
This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.—
-
Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.—
Cite this Entry
“Self-government.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-government. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share