noun

sovereignty

/ˈsɒvrɪnti/ · say it: SOV·rin·tee

supreme authority of a state over itself

In more detail

1. (noun) the power of a country to govern itself and make its own decisions without being controlled by another country

2. (noun) complete power or control over something

Examples

1. The small nation fought hard to protect its sovereignty.
2. The king had complete sovereignty over his kingdom.

How to use sovereignty

Sovereignty typically refers to the highest political authority within a state or the right of a people to govern themselves without external interference. It is commonly used in political, legal, and international contexts. The term emphasizes both the right to self-governance and the practical power to enforce independent decisions.

Common phrases

national sovereignty
state sovereignty
sovereignty of the people
exercise sovereignty
assert sovereignty
sovereign power

Synonyms

independence · autonomy · self-governance · self-determination · supremacy

Opposites

dependence · subjugation · subordination

Word family

sovereign (adjective/noun) · sovereignly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse sovereignty with simple independence; sovereignty implies not just freedom from control but the legitimate authority and power to govern.

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