autonomy

autonomy

noun

Definition of AUTONOMY

1

the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions <the director agreed to make the film only on the condition that she be given complete autonomy for the casting>

Synonyms accord, autonomy, choice, self-determination, volition, will

Related Words election, preference, selection; bent, devices, disposition, inclination, leaning, partiality, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency; alternative, discretion, option, pick, way

Near Antonyms coercion, compulsion, constraint, duress, force, pressure

2

the state of being free from the control or power of another <finding the mother country's treatment of them oppressive and intolerable, the 13 British colonies made the momentous decision to seek autonomy>

Synonyms autonomy, independence, independency, liberty, self-determination, self-governance, self-government, sovereignty (also sovranty)

Related Words emancipation, enfranchisement, liberation, manumission, release

Near Antonyms captivity, enchainment, enslavement, immurement, imprisonment, incarceration, internment, subjugation

Antonyms dependence (also dependance), heteronomy, subjection, unfreedom