1
as in choice
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independence
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
Organizations must know where AI is used, with which data and with what level of autonomy.
—
Stephane Gervais,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Under the right conditions, what begins as a trade-off can become a reinforcing cycle in which growth, autonomy and sustainability support one another.
—
Sebastian Buckup,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
In this way, immigration enforcement policy thwarts reproductive autonomy.
—
Jallicia Jolly,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Is the art work, with its autonomy and silence, the only place where individual reality can be safely revealed?
—
Rachel Cusk,
New Yorker,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Stephane Gervais,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Under the right conditions, what begins as a trade-off can become a reinforcing cycle in which growth, autonomy and sustainability support one another.
—
Sebastian Buckup,
Fortune,
23 June 2026
In this way, immigration enforcement policy thwarts reproductive autonomy.
—
Jallicia Jolly,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Is the art work, with its autonomy and silence, the only place where individual reality can be safely revealed?
—
Rachel Cusk,
New Yorker,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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Park conditions change constantly and visitors' choice of activities and level of preparedness are big factors in determining risk.
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Bad choices like that are a through-line for this whole story, all the way back to Otto Hightower encouraging his daughter, Alicent, to befriend Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys.
Noun
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Where Cancer bonds through emotional closeness and consistency, Aquarius needs independence, intellectual stimulation and plenty of room to move freely.
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At that point, the commission would be expected to fully take the reins of holding OPD accountable, potentially raising the stakes of its independence.
Noun
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The agreement calls for a halt to military operations in Lebanon and for its sovereignty to be respected.
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Losing, Jose said, would be a devastating blow, not only to the Tohono O’odham, but to all future claims of Indian sovereignty.
Noun
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Their legal battle for freedom and the resulting Supreme Court decision eventually ignited the Civil War.
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The implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation was limited in areas still under Confederate control, delaying freedom for many, particularly in Texas.
Noun
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This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.
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Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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