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

Shawn Mendes attended the 2019 Met Gala — this time as an independent star, sans date. — Claire Dodson, Teen Vogue, "Shawn Mendes Attended Met Gala 2019 Without a Date One Year After Going With Hailey Bieber," 6 May 2019 Many of them ended up being smaller, independent makers in the U.S. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "Almost Everything in This Colorful Family Home is Vintage," 3 May 2019 Intel Both are independent drives, each with dedicated x2 PCIe Gen 3 bandwidth. — Gordon Mah Ung, PCWorld, "Intel Optane Memory H10 SSD Review: How it could speed up your next laptop," 22 Apr. 2019 In her 2018 statewide race, Sinema has fashioned herself as an independent-minded Democrat who is interesting in working across the aisle. — Fox News, "Video from 2011 creates headaches for Sinema," 12 Oct. 2018 An independent inquiry set up in late 2017 laid out a slew of industry wrongdoing in its final report published Monday, from loose lending to collecting fees from dead customers. — Jacky Wong, WSJ, "Australian Banks Have More Than Their Reputations to Worry About," 4 Feb. 2019 There's a murder mystery at the center of it, but the real thrill is watching Murphy live such an imperfect, independent life. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "The CW’s In the Dark Is a Compelling Look at the Blind Experience," 4 Apr. 2019 Becoming a successful and financially independent young woman so early on comes with responsibilities, which can take away from life’s innocence. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Gigi Hadid Tears Up While Discussing How She's Dealt with Fame," 3 Apr. 2019 Renowned for jubilant colored gems, Pomellato was founded in 1967 for the independent career woman, one who would need pieces to transition from work to evening—and was able to buy her own jewelry. — Liz Cantrell, Town & Country, "Jane Fonda Speaks Out About Female Empowerment on International Women's Day," 8 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This is in keeping with reports that Meghan Markle is an independent, free-thinking person in all aspects of her life—just ask Princess Diana's former butler. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle's Reportedly Looking for a (Potentially Male) American Nanny," 17 Apr. 2019 Galvin is an independent who ran in the Democratic primary, beating out Democrats Dimitri Shein and Carol Hafner (who has never even been to Alaska) and independent Christopher Cumings in her Tuesday, August 22, primary. — Christianna Silva, Teen Vogue, "Independent Candidate Alyse Galvin Will Take on the Longest-Sitting U.S. Representative in Alaska's Midterm Election," 22 Aug. 2018 The targets for the Espy campaign are moderate and business-minded Republicans and independents who might be turned off by Hyde-Smith’s embrace of President Trump and news stories associating her with the Confederacy and segregation. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "The odds are against Mike Espy in a Senate runoff election. But here’s his path to an upset win.," 27 Nov. 2018 At issue is the 50-member delegation representing civil society, experts, independents, tribal leaders and women which the government has been objecting to. — Jamey Keaten, The Seattle Times, "Major powers report progress on new Syria constitution body," 18 Dec. 2018 Every single one of us, Republicans, Democrats, independents, from the biggest of cities, the smallest of towns, the people of Texas want to do and will do the great work of this country. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Read the Full Transcript of Beto O'Rourke’s Concession Speech," 7 Nov. 2018 The late slate includes Alaska, where a combative gubernatorial race is on after Gov. Bill Walker, an independent, suspended his re-election bid less than three weeks before the election. — Vivian Salama, WSJ, "Trump Agenda on the Line as Voters Head to the Polls," 6 Nov. 2018 Now, amid tough economic times, three gubernatorial candidates—one Democrat and two Republicans—are challenging Gov. Bill Walker, an independent who is running for re-election. — Kelsey Brugger, Scientific American, "Alaska Wants to Fight Warming While Still Drilling for Oil," 12 July 2018 The numbers weren’t much different for independents, with 47 percent undecided and 53 percent dissatisfied with the ballot lineup. — John Wildermuth, San Francisco Chronicle, "Newsom leads governor’s poll, with Cox and Villaraigosa fighting for second," 23 May 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.