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.

Taiwan and China’s claims on the self-governing island didn’t come up the last time Trump and Xi met in South Korea, U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

Rubio, addressing reporters at the White House, said he was sure that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would discuss Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island claimed by Beijing.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

For weeks, Trump has spoken about his desire to acquire Greenland, a largely self-governing territory of Denmark.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

The Ainu lived in self-governing communities across the island and maintained their own traditions under Japanese imperial rule.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2025

In politics, much has been made of the rise of monarchies at the expense of formerly self-governing city-states throughout the Greek world.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro