Sovereignty
Preamble debates, data law hearings, and island navies all circle this noun: the supreme authority above which no higher power stands.
Learn This WordMeaning
Supreme authority of a state.
Memory trick
SOVEREIGN sits over everything (super): the reign above all reigns.
Examples
Sovereignty rests with the people.
Parliamentary debates on data laws always circle back to digital sovereignty.
The island nation guards its maritime sovereignty with a tiny but sharp navy.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Old French soverainete, from soverain "supreme," from Latin super "above." The power above which no other power stands.
Usage Notes
Mains and essay cornerstone: sovereignty of the people, parliamentary sovereignty, digital sovereignty. Pair with adjectives that name the domain.
Real-life contexts
Use in polity: "The Preamble vests sovereignty in the people."
Use in tech: "Data sovereignty shapes cloud policy today."
Use in debate: "No treaty can dilute core sovereignty."
Common Mistakes
Sovereignty is supreme authority itself, not the territory; a state exercises sovereignty over territory. Silent g: SOV-rin-tee.
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Part of Speech
noun
Difficulty
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