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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
Catalina Island Camps director Tom Horner explained that sleep-away camps like his offer a range of benefits, from digital detox to autonomy (no offense, parents) and a break from regular schedules.
—
Gqlshare, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
There will never be Israeli security without Palestinian autonomy; there will never be Palestinian autonomy without Israeli security.
—Faith Salie, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
In that sense, the Magic City episode is not simply about league control versus team autonomy.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2026
But the thousands of Kurds know their aspirations for political autonomy and their historical opposition to Iran’s clerical rule have made that unlikely.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Gqlshare, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
There will never be Israeli security without Palestinian autonomy; there will never be Palestinian autonomy without Israeli security.
—Faith Salie, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
In that sense, the Magic City episode is not simply about league control versus team autonomy.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 21 Mar. 2026
But the thousands of Kurds know their aspirations for political autonomy and their historical opposition to Iran’s clerical rule have made that unlikely.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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Grégoire said Parisians made a clear choice in favor of the left as Dati, the right-wing candidate, was backed by the far right.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
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Compared to Stout, Herrera may be a more controversial choice for moderate voters.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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When choosing where to stay, hostels and guesthouses with communal spaces are ideal for solo travelers who want a mix of independence and social connection.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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Chavez and Dolores Huerta are as familiar to me as leaders of my own country who fought for independence from British colonial rule.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The event will highlight 19th-century historical figure Antonio Garra, who fought for the rights and sovereignty of Southern California and Northern Baja tribes.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
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The new carrier is not just a military platform but a symbol of national sovereignty and the ability to act independently on the global stage.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As gangs continue to expand and consolidate territorial control, journalists remain in growing danger, according to the commission and other press freedom groups.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
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That sense of freedom—of the gaze, of emotion, and of expression—is part of what made Farrokhzad the Iranian New Wave’s confrontational exemplar.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2022
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Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.—
Barton Swaim,
WSJ,
27 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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