independent

in·de·pen·dent | \ ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt

How to pronounce independent (audio)

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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

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 The independent journalists at Bellingcat have put together a guide to searching through and interpreting the data—and have raised the possibility that several IronMarch members were active US military personnel. — Wired, "Security News This Week: Huge Data Leak Doxes Members of Notorious Neo-Nazi Forum," 9 Nov. 2019 Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. — Esten Mclaren, USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire, "Heat-Lakers odds: Miami spotted eight points vs. Los Angeles Lakers," 8 Nov. 2019 Poland’s strongest appeal, perhaps, lies in the combination of local talent — built by its strong, independent industry — and financial incentives that make the country competitive with its East European neighbors. — Stjepan Hundic, The Hollywood Reporter, "Why the Poland Film Sector Is Quietly Thriving," 8 Nov. 2019 Meanwhile, protesters doubled down on their demand for an independent probe into the police force. — Author: Casey Quackenbush, Anchorage Daily News, "With student’s death, Hong Kong uprising enters a perilous new phase," 8 Nov. 2019 The letter questioned whether there were accounting errors in past periods and whether Mattel's outside auditor was independent. — Anne D'innocenzio, chicagotribune.com, "A resurgence in Barbie sales helps lift Mattel’s 3Q results," 7 Nov. 2019 The panelists are Beth Kassab of the Orlando Sentinel, Matthew Peddie of 90.7 WMFE and Mary Shanklin, an independent journalist. — Hal Boedeker, orlandosentinel.com, "John Morgan talks marijuana, impeachment, Biden," 6 Nov. 2019 The data breach was discovered this summer during a legal compliance review for a public records request made by an independent journalist. — Alexei Koseff, SFChronicle.com, "California DMV improperly shared Social Security info for thousands of people," 5 Nov. 2019 But the Dems picked up Rep. Justin Amash, who is independent now after leaving the Republican Party earlier this year. — Annah Aschbrenner, USA TODAY, "OnPolitics: Sorry, this isn't about the Nats winning," 1 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The Sentinel Small Schools Super Six recognizes the best of the area’s 17 programs that compete in Class 2A, 3A and 4A within the FHSAA or as independents. — J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, "Foundation Academy returns to top of Sentinel Small Schools Super Six rankings," 14 Oct. 2019 Another 21,628 voters in the district are registered as independents. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Gomez’s surprise run for Congress prompts scramble for her council seat," 17 Sep. 2019 This list is an attempt to evaluate each player in a vacuum, independent of his current team context as much as possible. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "Top 100 NBA Players of 2020," 12 Sep. 2019 Trump’s overall approval rating among independents is deeply underwater, with 36 percent approving of his job performance and 58 percent disapproving. — BostonGlobe.com, "The poll also shows a schism between Americans’ continued positive ratings of the economy and fears of a downturn, with far more saying Trump’s policies have increased chances of a recession than decreased it.," 11 Sep. 2019 The city sued companies in the opioid industry independent of Anne Arundel County and will have its suit heard in Ohio. — Phil Davis, baltimoresun.com, "How the $572 million ruling against Johnson & Johnson in Oklahoma could affect Maryland," 27 Aug. 2019 In fact, one study showed that 97% of all women had previously experienced food cravings—independent of their menstrual cycle. — Sara Twogood, Quartz, "The science behind why you crave carbs when you’re on your period," 7 Aug. 2019 There are 40 percent of the electorate that are independents. — Fox News, "Rep. Devin Nunes: Need to declassify Russia documents before election," 16 Sep. 2018 Notably, the most enthusiastic Biden supporters were registered Republicans or independents who voted for Trump. — NBC News, "Here's how Kavanaugh denied the Ramirez allegations under oath," 16 Sep. 2019

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.

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More Definitions for independent

independent

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of independent

(Entry 1 of 2)

: not controlled or ruled by another country

: not controlled by other people

: not requiring or relying on other people for help or support

independent

noun

English Language Learners Definition of independent (Entry 2 of 2)

: someone or something that is not connected to others of the same kind

politics : a person who does not belong to a political party

See the full definition for independent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

independent

in·de·pen·dent | \ ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt

\

Kids Definition of independent

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : not under the control or rule of another an independent country

2 : not connected with something else an independent bookstore

3 : not depending on anyone else for money to live on

4 : thinking freely : not looking to others for guidance an independent thinker

independent

Kids Definition of independent (Entry 2 of 2)

: an independent person

independent

in·de·pen·dent

Legal Definition of independent

1 : not dependent on others (as parents) for livelihood especially : not a dependent declared she was independent on her financial aid form

2a : not affiliated with another usually larger unit an independent adjuster

b : not contingent on something else an independent promise

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WORD OF THE DAY

officious

meddlesome, informal, or unofficial

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