states' rights
noun
Pronunciation: /ˌsteɪts ˈraɪts/
Definition
The powers and privileges held by the individual U.S. states, as opposed to the federal government, often debated in terms of their scope and limits.
Examples
The Civil War was fought, in part, over the issue of states' rights.
Supporters of the bill argued it was a matter of states' rights and should be decided locally.
How to Use states' rights
- states' rights (collocation)
- The concept of powers belonging to individual states. — "The governor championed states' rights in his speech to the legislature."
- issue of states' rights (collocation)
- A specific problem or topic related to the powers of individual states. — "The debate over gun control often becomes an issue of states' rights."
- defense of states' rights (collocation)
- The act of protecting or arguing for the powers of individual states. — "He made a strong defense of states' rights against federal overreach."
Synonyms of states' rights
Words with a similar meaning to states' rights:
Antonyms of states' rights
Words with the opposite meaning to states' rights:
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