in·de·pen·dent
ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt 
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
(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
3
a
: main sense 5
an independent clause
b
: neither deducible from nor incompatible with another statement
independent postulates
independently
adverb
1
: one that is independent
especially, often capitalized
: one that is not bound by or definitively committed to a political party
2
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
Synonyms
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2024
Soderbergh’s success ignited the independent film revolution of the ’90s, setting the stage for a new ensemble of auteurs like Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Jan. 2024
Daimler Truck registered $53.6 billion in revenue in 2022, its first year of independent operations, returning $2.8 billion in earnings.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2024
In addition to the fine, eBay agreed to retain an independent corporate compliance monitor for three years and improve its compliance process, the DOJ said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2024
Formerly known as the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy, the Israel Innovation Authority is an independent entity that works with startups, mature companies, academics and others to develop new technology and implement it in Israel and globally, according to its website.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024
The team at Georgetown’s Fountain Inn cocktail bar introduces casual sippers to independent mezcal brands during this tasting, serving tasters along with tacos.
—Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2023
That kind of creativity had been stifled as Twitter fell apart and other platforms like Reddit cracked down on independent developers, but the rise of new networks and alternative platforms has inspired a resurgence in these kinds of creations that hasn’t been seen since the early 2000s.
—Anil Dash, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2023
Aaron Zitner, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024
The idea is that tying Ms. Haley to Mr. Trump will lure those independents to Mr. Christie, which could help the former president stay ahead of Ms. Haley.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2024
The percentage of Republicans who hold Trump responsible for the attack dropped from 27 percent to 14 percent, compared with 56 percent of independents and 86 percent of Democrats.
—Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2024
Republicans have seized the opportunity to mobilize their base and court independents, attacking progressive criminal-justice reforms and calling for a retrenchment.
—Neil Gross, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2023
Yet 92% of Republicans, 78% of independents and 58% of Democrats believe crime is rising, the Gallup survey shows.
—Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 16 Dec. 2023
Will candidates running with third parties or as independents make the ballot?
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 21 Dec. 2023
Tim Lochner, an independent, ran under the AfD banner and won with 38.5 percent of the vote in this town of 40,000, according to results announced Sunday.
—Kate Brady, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2023
Christie, a moderate former New Jersey governor, has centered his longshot bid in New Hampshire because the state’s open primary system allows independents to cast ballots in either party’s primary.
—Eliza Collins, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2023
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Adjective
Creative Coalition Spotlight Initiative Awards Gala Dinner Buona Vita, 804 Main St., Park City, 7 p.m.
The org hosts its signature event to celebrate the art and craft of independent filmmaking.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2024
Soderbergh’s success ignited the independent film revolution of the ’90s, setting the stage for a new ensemble of auteurs like Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Jan. 2024
Daimler Truck registered $53.6 billion in revenue in 2022, its first year of independent operations, returning $2.8 billion in earnings.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2024
In addition to the fine, eBay agreed to retain an independent corporate compliance monitor for three years and improve its compliance process, the DOJ said.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2024
Formerly known as the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Economy, the Israel Innovation Authority is an independent entity that works with startups, mature companies, academics and others to develop new technology and implement it in Israel and globally, according to its website.
—Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024
The team at Georgetown’s Fountain Inn cocktail bar introduces casual sippers to independent mezcal brands during this tasting, serving tasters along with tacos.
—Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2023
That kind of creativity had been stifled as Twitter fell apart and other platforms like Reddit cracked down on independent developers, but the rise of new networks and alternative platforms has inspired a resurgence in these kinds of creations that hasn’t been seen since the early 2000s.
—Anil Dash, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2023
Noun
These Haley-but-not-Trump voters identify far more as independents than with any party.
—Aaron Zitner, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2024
The idea is that tying Ms. Haley to Mr. Trump will lure those independents to Mr. Christie, which could help the former president stay ahead of Ms. Haley.
—Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2024
The percentage of Republicans who hold Trump responsible for the attack dropped from 27 percent to 14 percent, compared with 56 percent of independents and 86 percent of Democrats.
—Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2024
Republicans have seized the opportunity to mobilize their base and court independents, attacking progressive criminal-justice reforms and calling for a retrenchment.
—Neil Gross, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2023
Yet 92% of Republicans, 78% of independents and 58% of Democrats believe crime is rising, the Gallup survey shows.
—Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 16 Dec. 2023
Will candidates running with third parties or as independents make the ballot?
—Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 21 Dec. 2023
Tim Lochner, an independent, ran under the AfD banner and won with 38.5 percent of the vote in this town of 40,000, according to results announced Sunday.
—Kate Brady, Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2023
Christie, a moderate former New Jersey governor, has centered his longshot bid in New Hampshire because the state’s open primary system allows independents to cast ballots in either party’s primary.
—Eliza Collins, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'independent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing independent
Dictionary Entries Near independent
Cite this Entry
“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/independent. Accessed 26 Jan. 2024.
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Kids Definition
independent
1 of 2 adjective
in·de·pen·dent
ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt
1
: not being controlled or ruled by another : free
an independent nation
2
: not having connections with another : separate
the same story told by independent witnesses
3
: having or providing enough money to live on without anyone else's help
also
: not having to work for a living
a person of independent means
4
: not easily influenced
an independent mind
5
: having full meaning in itself and capable of standing alone as a simple sentence : main entry 2
an independent clause
6
: not belonging to a political party
7
: having probabilities such that whether or not one event takes place does not influence whether or not another event takes place
the outcomes of the tossing of two dice are independent
independently
adverb
independent
2 of 2 noun
: one that is independent
especially
: a voter who doesn't belong to a political party
Legal Definition
independent
adjective
in·de·pen·dent
1
: not dependent on others (as parents) for livelihood
especially
: not a dependent
declared she was independent on her financial aid form
2
a
: not affiliated with another usually larger unit
an independent adjuster
b
: not contingent on something else
an independent promise
independence
noun
independently
adverb
More from Merriam-Webster on independent
Nglish: Translation of independent for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of independent for Arabic Speakers
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