independent

adjective

in·de·pen·dent | \ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt

Definition of independent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not dependent: such as

a(1) : not subject to control by others : self-governing

(2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit an independent bookstore

b(1) : not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent an independent conclusion

(2) : not looking to others for one's opinions or for guidance in conduct

(3) : not bound by or committed to a political party

c(1) : not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood) independent of her parents

(2) : being enough to free one from the necessity of working for a living a person of independent means

d : showing a desire for freedom an independent manner

e(1) : not determined by or capable of being deduced or derived from or expressed in terms of members (such as axioms or equations) of the set under consideration especially : having linear independence an independent set of vectors

(2) : having the property that the joint probability (as of events or samples) or the joint probability density function (as of random variables) equals the product of the probabilities or probability density functions of separate occurrence

2 capitalized : of or relating to the Independents

3a : main sense 5 an independent clause

b : neither deducible from nor incompatible with another statement independent postulates

independent

noun

Definition of independent (Entry 2 of 2)

1 capitalized : a sectarian of an English religious movement for congregational autonomy originating in the late 16th century, giving rise to Congregationalists, Baptists, and Friends, and forming one of the major political groupings of the period of Cromwell

2 : one that is independent especially, often capitalized : one that is not bound by or definitively committed to a political party

Other Words from independent Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about independent

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Choose the Right Synonym for independent

Adjective

free, independent, sovereign, autonomous mean not subject to the rule or control of another. 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 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 sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere. separate and sovereign armed services autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government. in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

Examples of independent in a Sentence

Adjective

The country recently became independent. They have a good deal of independent authority. She has an independent income. Another laboratory has provided independent confirmation of the test results. She is a very independent person. She has an independent mind. They lead an independent life.

Noun

She registered to vote as an Independent.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Meral and independent experts say Friant’s farmers are only partly to blame. — Dale Kasler And Phillip Reese, sacbee, "The Valley floor is sinking, and it’s crippling California’s ability to deliver water," 13 July 2018 San Francisco property bigwig Joe O’Donoghue asked his longtime political cohort, former Mayor Willie Brown, to relay a $50,000 check to an independent organization supporting London Breed’s successful mayoral campaign. — SFChronicle.com, "Suit contends former Mayor Willie Brown misdirected campaign donation," 12 July 2018 This version was also tested in five women by an independent researcher. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hair regrowth treatment now being tested in women by La Jolla's Histogen," 12 July 2018 Despite working with independent counsel Ken Starr to prosecute Bill Clinton, Judge Kavanaugh has since called upon Congress to exempt sitting presidents from civil suits, criminal investigations, and criminal prosecutions. — Sam Dangremond, Town & Country, "Yale Law Students and Alumni Denounce School's Support of Brett Kavanaugh," 11 July 2018 This article was produced in collaboration with Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. — Jordan Rau, sandiegouniontribune.com, "‘It’s almost like a ghost town.’ Most nursing homes overstated staffing for years," 11 July 2018 Just weeks before his death, rapper XXXTentacion signed a $10-million record deal with an independent music company to release his next record, the New York Times reported Sunday. — Erin Ben-moche, latimes.com, "XXXTentacion signed a $10-million record deal weeks before death, report says," 9 July 2018 In the reorganization’s crosshairs was the Puerto Rican Institute of Statistics (PRIS), an independent government agency in San Juan. — Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, "After outcry, Puerto Rico’s legislature spares statistical agency," 3 July 2018 Pipala was hired by Braun Racing, then one of the top independent teams in the Busch (now Xfinity) series. — Tony Baranek, Daily Southtown, "Something about Shayne: Frankfort Square native Shayne Pipala keeps tires on NASCAR track for Kurt Busch," 29 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Image Margaret Hoover, a conservative, and John Avlon, an independent, are television pundits who are married to each other. — New York Times, "Margaret Hoover and John Avlon on their Post-Partisan Marriage," 11 July 2018 The Arch, seen as a symbol of American ambition, was finally completed in 1965, almost 20 years after Eero Saarinen began his career independent of his famous architect father by winning a design competition for the monument in 1947. — Alexandra Lange, Curbed, "Gateway to what?," 28 June 2018 The Democratic Party later changed its rules to let independents run in its primaries, a move upheld earlier this year by the Alaska Supreme Court. — Becky Bohrer, Anchorage Daily News, "Former Sen. Mark Begich’s entry causes angst in Alaska governor’s race," 4 July 2018 Eighty-five percent of Republicans and those who labeled themselves conservative independents said it’s likely that social media platforms censor political speech. — Fortune, "Do Tech Companies Really Censor Political Views? Most Americans Think So," 28 June 2018 New York is a closed primary state (independents cannot participate in either part’s nominating contests), with very little early voting. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "New York House Races Headline June 26 State Primaries," 26 June 2018 And independents typically turn out in lower numbers than partisan voters, even in general elections. — John Wildermuth, SFChronicle.com, "Poll shows Feinstein with big lead over Kevin de León, but there’s a surprise," 22 June 2018 Sanders is an independent from Vermont and Harris is a Democrat from California. — Clare Foran, CNN, "Man charged with threatening to harm Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, March for Our Lives protesters," 13 June 2018 This is not uncommon in Maine, where independents are often on the ballot and where nine of the last 11 governors were elected with less than 50 percent. — New York Times, "As Australia and the Oscars Go, So Goes Maine?," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'independent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.