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Synonyms

self-governed

American  
[self-guhv-ernd, self-] / ˌsɛlfˈgʌv ərnd, ˈsɛlf- /

adjective

  1. governed by itself or having self-government, as a state or community; independent.

    Synonyms:
    autonomous
    Antonyms:
    dependent
  2. self-regulating; self-determining.

  3. exercising self-restraint or self-control.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of self-governed

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Returning from his Beijing summit with the Chinese leader, the president said that “nothing’s changed” in the U.S. policy toward the democratic, self-governed island.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Taiwan’s religious diversity and vitality forms a kind of subsoil of the self-governed island’s identity and values.

From New York Times • May 3, 2024

The foreign secretary's visit is against a backdrop of continued calls by Argentina for the self-governed territory to be handed to Buenos Aires.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2024

Taiwan’s Taiex declined 0.2% to 17,512.83 on the eve of presidential and legislative elections that will test the self-governed island’s relations both with Beijing and with Washington.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Thus it will be seen that although nominally under monarchial rule, Norway is in reality self-governed.

From Foot-prints of Travel or, Journeyings in Many Lands by Ballou, Maturin Murray

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