What does "self-determination" mean?
The ability or human right to make one's own decisions without interference from others
Self-determination
/ˌsɛlfdɪˌtɜː(ɹ)mɪˈneɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The ability or human right to make one's own decisions without interference from others
- Grammar: self-determination is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: self-government, absolute monarchy, act independently, agentic behavior.
- Useful contrasts: external pressure, extrinsic motivation, foreign rule.
- Usage evidence: The great Kabyle singer Matoub Lounès criticized the dictatorship and even dared to criticize Islam. But when he dared to speak of the right of peoples to self-determination, and thus to the Kabyle people to have their state, he was assassinated by Algerian authorities.
How to use "self-determination"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "self-determination" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "self-determination" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "self-determination" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "self-determination" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "self-determination" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "self-government" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "self-determination", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The ability or human right to make one's own decisions without interference from others uncountable
- 2 determination of one's own fate or course of action without compulsion wordnet
- 3 The political independence of a people uncountable
"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has categorically ruled out any new negotiations saying the future of the Falklands can only be decided by the islanders themselves in accordance with the UN principle of self-determination."
- 4 government of a political unit by its own people wordnet
- 5 self-determination of peoples: the collective right to determine its own destiny in the international order, to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic, cultural and social development, the right to establish a state uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The great Kabyle singer Matoub Lounès criticized the dictatorship and even dared to criticize Islam. But when he dared to speak of the right of peoples to self-determination, and thus to the Kabyle people to have their state, he was assassinated by Algerian authorities."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "self-determination"?
Common synonyms include: self-government, absolute monarchy, act independently, agentic behavior, aristocracy, atrocity story.
How do you use "self-determination" in a sentence?
The great Kabyle singer Matoub Lounès criticized the dictatorship and even dared to criticize Islam. But when he dared to speak of the right of peoples to self-determination, and thus to the Kabyle people to have their state, he was assassinated by Algerian authorities.
How do you pronounce "self-determination"?
Pronounced /ˌsɛlfdɪˌtɜː(ɹ)mɪˈneɪʃən/.
Etymology
From self- + determination.