Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Greatest in status, authority, or power: "sovereign" describes something that is supreme or highest in rank and power.
   • Independent, not controlled by outside forces: When referring to political bodies, "sovereign" means autonomous and self-governing.
   • Extremely effective or potent: "sovereign" can describe a remedy or solution that is supremely effective.

2. Noun:

   • A nation's ruler or head of state: A "sovereign" is a supreme ruler, especially a monarch such as a king or queen.
   • A former British gold coin: Historically, a "sovereign" was a gold coin of the United Kingdom.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The court is the sovereign judicial authority in the land.
  • Every sovereign nation has the right to determine its own laws.
  • They sought a sovereign remedy for the ancient ailment.

• Noun:

  • The sovereign addressed the nation from the palace balcony.
  • The coin collection included a sovereign from the Victorian era.

Advanced Usage

• "Sovereign power": The ultimate, supreme authority within a territory.

  • In a democracy, sovereign power is held by the people.

• "Sovereign will": The independent and supreme decision-making capacity of a state or ruler.

  • The treaty was signed in accordance with the sovereign will of both nations.

Variants and Related Words

• Sovereignty (n): The authority of a state to govern itself; supreme power.

  • The country fought for its sovereignty.

• Sovereignly (adv): In a sovereign manner.

  • The state acted sovereignly in the matter.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Supreme, paramount, dominant, independent, autonomous.
• Noun: Monarch, ruler, king, queen, emperor.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Subordinate, dependent, subject, inferior.
• Noun: Subject, citizen.

Related Phrases

• Sovereign state: A state with a defined territory that governs itself independently.

  • Diplomatic recognition is often granted to sovereign states.

• Sovereign debt: Bonds or securities issued by a national government.

  • Investors were concerned about the level of sovereign debt.

Adjective

1. greatest in status or authority or power
   • a supreme tribunal
2. (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
   • an autonomous judiciary
   • a sovereign state

Noun

1. a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right