Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective independent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of independent are autonomous, free, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.

the colony's struggle to become independent

Where would autonomous be a reasonable alternative to independent?

Although the words autonomous and independent have much in common, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When can free be used instead of independent?

While in some cases nearly identical to independent, free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.

you're free to do as you like

When could sovereign be used to replace independent?

The synonyms sovereign and independent are sometimes interchangeable, but sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of independent The recipient of this information must make its own independent decisions regarding any securities, investment products or other financial products mentioned herein. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 30 June 2025 Looking ahead to 2026, recipients can likely expect a 2.5 percent COLA, according to new estimates from independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst Mary Johnson and the Senior Citizens League—mirroring the adjustment made for 2025. Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Tools like these could help independent fleets not only stay competitive but scale more sustainably. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 30 June 2025 According to the latest McKinsey American Opportunity Survey, 36% of the U.S. labor force identifies as independent workers today, up from 27% in 2016. Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for independent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent
Adjective
  • Some states have worked toward laws that mandate human operators in autonomous vehicles; others have fought against the proliferation of deepfakes flooding the internet; some have taken on data privacy and more.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 1 July 2025
  • Tesla’s autonomous ride hailing service went live just over a week ago with nearly a dozen robotaxis shuttling passengers in downtown Austin.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • All are coordinated and named by a single body, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which has a separate name list for typhoons.
    Tom Brown, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • The Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James have a long history in two separate stints with each other.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • This collection is a powerful vindication for those of us who have been wearing shorts almost all through the fashion weeks this season.
    Vogue, Vogue, 27 June 2025
  • This could unlock powerful use cases beyond assistive tech for people with paralysis.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The African Union is set to launch its own credit ratings agency this year to help challenge the establishment with additional transparency for African sovereign ratings.
    Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • The company’s pre-IPO investors include Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek.
    Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The agency is largely self-sufficient, financed by the sale of postage products.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025
  • It was focused on feeding the poor, taking care of the sick and elderly, and feeding those imprisoned in York Castle, and was self-sufficient until the rise of the Reformation movement.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Strong sense of self Great leaders are self-reliant, selfless, have a realistic view of the present and a comfortable relationship with it.
    Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Overlanding is a form of self-reliant travel that involves adventuring to remote destinations, typically in a vehicle of some type.
    Celia Fernandez, CNBC, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to its momentum and self-sustaining nature, drive has another advantage over motivation: It can be developed and strengthened over time.
    Ryan McGrath, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Significantly, some states had self-sustaining populations of wild turkeys that could serve as seed stock.
    Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • The 24-hectare base is a large and self-sustained compound, according to 2023 U.S. military documents detailing the facilities.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • Completely self-sustained, the brothers, Lotia writes in her book, are not just potters, but make a living as farmers as well.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independent. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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