noun
- the position or authority of a suzerain; dominion over a dependent state that retains some degree of self-government
Usage: political/historical
Examples
- The empire established suzerainty over several smaller kingdoms.
- Under British suzerainty, the princely states maintained their own rulers.
- The treaty recognized the nation’s suzerainty over the disputed territory.
- Many colonies eventually rejected foreign suzerainty and declared independence.
- The concept of suzerainty allowed for indirect rule over vassal states.
- Historical suzerainty often involved tribute payments from dependent territories.