Sovereignty: meaning, definitions and examples

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sovereignty

 

[ ˈsɒvrənti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

political power

Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources. It is the supreme authority within a territory.

Synonyms

authority, autonomy, independence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sovereignty

Used to describe the supreme power or authority that a state has over itself or its region. It's often mentioned in discussions about politics, governance, and international relations.

  • The country fought for its sovereignty and succeeded in becoming a fully independent nation
autonomy

Describes the state of being self-governing; having the freedom to govern oneself or control one's own affairs. It's commonly used in discussions about personal freedom, regional governance, and organizational management.

  • The university was granted autonomy to manage its own affairs independently of the government
independence

Refers to the state of being free from control or influence from others. It can be applied to countries, organizations, or individuals.

  • After years of struggle, the nation finally achieved independence from colonial rule
authority

Refers to the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. This can be within various contexts, such as government, organizations, or familial settings.

  • The teacher's authority was challenged by the students

Examples of usage

  • Sovereignty allows a country to make its own laws and decisions.
  • The concept of sovereignty is often debated in international relations.
  • The sovereignty of a nation is a key aspect of its identity.
Context #2 | Noun

supreme control

Sovereignty also refers to supreme power or authority. It is the ultimate control or influence over a specific domain or area.

Synonyms

control, dominance, supremacy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sovereignty

Refers to the authority of a state to govern itself or another state. Often used in political or legal contexts.

  • The country fought for its independence and sovereignty.
  • Sovereignty is a key principle of international law.
dominance

Refers to the power and influence over others. Often used in hierarchical or competitive contexts. Can have a negative connotation when implying overpowering control.

  • The company has maintained its dominance in the market for decades.
  • There is tension due to the dominance of one group over another.
supremacy

Indicates the state of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status. Often used in contexts where competition or hierarchy is involved. Can have a negative connotation, especially in social contexts where it implies inequality.

  • The nation established its supremacy in naval warfare.
  • Claims of racial supremacy have no place in modern society.
control

Indicates the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. Can be used in various contexts, including management, authority, and personal situations.

  • The manager has full control over the project.
  • She struggled to maintain control of her emotions.

Examples of usage

  • The king's sovereignty was unquestioned in the medieval kingdom.
  • The sovereignty of the ruler extended over all aspects of life in the empire.

Translations

Translations of the word "sovereignty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 soberania

🇮🇳 संप्रभुता

🇩🇪 Souveränität

🇮🇩 kedaulatan

🇺🇦 суверенітет

🇵🇱 suwerenność

🇯🇵 主権 (しゅけん)

🇫🇷 souveraineté

🇪🇸 soberanía

🇹🇷 egemenlik

🇰🇷 주권 (주권)

🇸🇦 سيادة (سيادة)

🇨🇿 suverenita

🇸🇰 suverenita

🇨🇳 主权 (主权)

🇸🇮 suverenost

🇮🇸 fullveldi

🇰🇿 егемендік

🇬🇪 სუვერენიტეტი (სუვერენიტეტი)

🇦🇿 suverenlik

🇲🇽 soberanía

Etymology

The word 'sovereignty' originated from the Old French word 'soverainete' in the 14th century, which in turn came from the Latin word 'superanus' meaning 'chief, highest'. The concept of sovereignty has been a fundamental principle in politics and governance, shaping the structure of states and their relationships with one another.

See also: sovereign, sovereigns, sovereigntist.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,045 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.