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Synonyms

sovereign

American  
[sov-rin, sov-er-in, suhv-] / ˈsɒv rɪn, ˈsɒv ər ɪn, ˈsʌv- /

noun

  1. a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.

    Synonyms:
    potentate , empress , emperor
  2. a person who has supreme power or authority.

  3. a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.

    Synonyms:
    government
  4. a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling: went out of circulation after 1914.


adjective

  1. belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal.

    Synonyms:
    queenly , kingly , monarchical , princely , imperial , majestic , regal
  2. having supreme rank, power, or authority.

  3. supreme; preeminent; indisputable.

    a sovereign right.

    Synonyms:
    predominant , principal , paramount , chief
  4. greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.

  5. being above all others in character, importance, excellence, etc.

  6. efficacious; potent.

    a sovereign remedy.

    Synonyms:
    effectual , effective
sovereign British  
/ ˈsɒvrɪn /

noun

  1. a person exercising supreme authority, esp a monarch

  2. a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. supreme in rank or authority

    a sovereign lord

  2. excellent or outstanding

    a sovereign remedy

  3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a sovereign

  4. independent of outside authority

    a sovereign state

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonsovereign noun
  • nonsovereignly adverb
  • quasi-sovereign adjective
  • sovereignly adverb
  • subsovereign noun
  • supersovereign adjective
  • undersovereign noun
  • unsovereign adjective

Etymology

Origin of sovereign

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English soverain, altered by influence of reign, from Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin superānus (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin super- super- + -ānus -an

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.

The remark caused Japanese bond yields to rise sharply, while yields on other global sovereign bonds, from the U.S. to Europe and the rest of Asia, quickly followed suit.

From MarketWatch

He also told the Ukrainian delegation that the aim of peace talks with Russia is to leave Ukraine "sovereign, independent and prosperous".

From BBC

Rubio told reporters as the meeting began that the talks were aimed at “securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity for real prosperity.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"This is not just about peace deals. It's about creating a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous," Rubio said at the start of the negotiations.

From Barron's

While tribal governments are recognized as sovereign nations with the authority to issue identification, federal officers do not always receive guidance on how to verify them.

From Salon