1
as in autonomy
the ability to care for one's self
children are supposed to achieve some measure of independence by the time they are 18—so it's time for that 30-year-old to move out!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sovereignty
the state of being free from the control or power of another
college freshmen often revel in their newfound independence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of independence
In the 23 years since its independence, Timor-Leste has made significant progress in nation building, expanding critical infrastructure like roads, airports, and internet access.
—
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Developed by specialists from the steam generator and combustion equipment department at JSC VTI, the new solution is claimed to help reduce the process’s negative impact on the atmosphere, improve economic efficiency, and strengthen the technological independence of the domestic energy sector.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Through research, the couple found a cerebral palsy inclusion report that ranked each state's approaches to promoting independence and productivity, ensuring quality and safety, and keeping families together.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Nigeria, Mozambique lead Africa’s pursuit of energy independence Two giant projects that will help Africa’s pursuit of energy independence took major steps forward.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for independence
Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Developed by specialists from the steam generator and combustion equipment department at JSC VTI, the new solution is claimed to help reduce the process’s negative impact on the atmosphere, improve economic efficiency, and strengthen the technological independence of the domestic energy sector.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025
Through research, the couple found a cerebral palsy inclusion report that ranked each state's approaches to promoting independence and productivity, ensuring quality and safety, and keeping families together.
—Wendy Grossman Kantor, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Nigeria, Mozambique lead Africa’s pursuit of energy independence Two giant projects that will help Africa’s pursuit of energy independence took major steps forward.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for independence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independence
Noun
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Across the eight-episode first season, the Crutchfields navigate living under one roof while trying to maintain their own autonomy.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
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The plea—legally impossible but symbolically potent—highlights the limits of judicial authority over prison placements, the strain of the mental health crises inside the federal system, and the uneasy intersection between acts of political violence and debates about personal autonomy at life’s end.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rarely in American history have US presidents supported constraints on American sovereignty.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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The flag, a symbol of the tribe’s long and hard-fought sovereignty, the ways its people have given to the Elk Grove community, and ties to land that date back, in Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen’s remarks, to time immemorial, launches the city’s commemoration of Native American Heritage Month.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Steve Coppell knew how to manage people, play the right tactics and give us the freedom to express ourselves.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Other artists address psychological and ecological rupture, from Shirin Neshat’s haunting meditations on freedom to Sharbendu De’s visions of climate futures.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
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.—
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
Noun
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Beijing is also continuing its push to insulate itself from future shocks – including in its upcoming five-year plan, which aims to deepen a top-down drive for tech and industrial self-sufficiency.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Canada’s perennial concern for political independence rests on the retention of as much economic sovereignty as possible in a world where self-sufficiency is impossible.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beijing calls for ‘extraordinary measures’ toward self-reliance Chinese authorities outlined plans to increase the country’s self-reliance and deepen its dominance of manufacturing.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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Although self-reliance is Africa’s goal, the challenge is achieving true autonomy without structural transformation of nations that remain highly unproductive.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independence. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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