sovereignty
11 synonyms for sovereignty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Supreme authority, especially the power of a nation to govern itself without outside control.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use sovereignty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
national sovereignty
assert sovereignty
threat to sovereignty
Etymology
From Old French soveraineté, from soverain ("sovereign") plus the noun-forming suffix -té.
Full origin of sovereignty →Frequently asked questions
What does “sovereignty” mean?
The word “sovereignty” means supreme authority, especially the power of a nation to govern itself without outside control. In plain terms, the right and power of a country (or person) to rule itself without outside interference.
How do you pronounce “sovereignty”?
“Sovereignty” is pronounced SOV-ruhn-tee (/ˈsɑv(ə)ɹənti/ in IPA).
How do you use “sovereignty” in a sentence?
Here is “sovereignty” used in a sentence: “The country fought hard to preserve its sovereignty after the war.”
What is another word for “sovereignty”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sovereignty” include sovereigndom, sovereignhood, sovereignness and sovereignship.
What part of speech is “sovereignty”?
“Sovereignty” is a noun.
Where does the word “sovereignty” come from?
The word “sovereignty” comes from Old French. From Old French soveraineté, from soverain ("sovereign") plus the noun-forming suffix -té.
Is “sovereignty” a common word?
“Sovereignty” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between sovereignty and independence?
Sovereignty refers to the supreme authority a nation holds to govern itself without outside control, while independence describes the state of not being ruled or controlled by another country. A nation can be independent yet have its sovereignty challenged or limited by external pressures, treaties, or interventions.
Can sovereignty apply to something other than a nation?
Yes, sovereignty can extend to concepts like tribal sovereignty, popular sovereignty, or personal autonomy, wherever supreme authority over a domain is being described. In its core political sense, though, it most often refers to a state's self-governing power.
What is national sovereignty?
National sovereignty is the principle that a country has the supreme authority to make its own laws and decisions without interference from other nations. It underpins concepts like territorial integrity and self-determination in international law.
