Unlike in a federal supra-state, member states retain nominal sovereignty, although some sovereignty is shared with, or ceded to, the supranational body.

The Treaty of Wehlau revoked the nominal sovereignty of the King of Poland in 1657.

The agreement ensured that the region would have its own administration, recognized the rights of the local population and provided for self-government under nominal Albanian sovereignty.

On the death of the nawab in 1853, it was determined to put an end to the nominal sovereignty, a liberal establishment being provided for the family.

The nominal sovereignty of Friedland-Seidenberg was also revoked at this time.

In each case, the title asserts the autonomy of the canton and its nominal sovereignty within the Swiss Confederation.

The Cuan family took the strategy by which they recognized the nominal sovereignty of the central governments while remaining themselves as the real local rulers.

During the 1970s and 1980s, four ethnic bantustans, some of which were extremely fragmented, were carved out of South Africa and given nominal sovereignty.

The RSI exercised nominal sovereignty in northern Italy, but was largely dependent on German troops to maintain control.

The island was under nominal Spanish sovereignty since 1668, but it was not effectively occupied until 1885.