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
nounDefinition of independent (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for independent
Synonyms: Adjective
- self-dependent,
- self-reliant,
- self-subsistent,
- self-subsisting,
- self-sufficient,
- self-supported,
- self-supporting,
- self-sustained,
- self-sustaining
Antonyms: Adjective
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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: Adjective Louisiana’s state government should not implement a strict crackdown on businesses that misclassify their employees as independent contractors, business advocates said Thursday.
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David Jacobs, Washington Examiner, "Louisiana business advocates hope to avoid strict crackdown on employee misclassification," 8 Jan. 2021 The highly contentious and wildly expensive Prop 22 is already doing what it was designed to do, and Californians are seeing the grim reality of an economy saturated with independent contractors.
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Nick Martin, The New Republic, "The Exciting New Trick That Converts Good Jobs Into Crappy Gig Work," 6 Jan. 2021 Sorrell said that includes independent contractors who work in medical facilities but are not full-time hospital employees, as well as private practice physicians, dentists, optometrists and others who have direct contact with patients.
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Dennis Pillion | Dpillion@al.com, al, "Alabama has given 42,810 COVID vaccines so far," 5 Jan. 2021 Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart poured $220 million into passing Prop. 22, which keeps their California gig drivers and couriers as independent contractors, insulating the companies from legal challenges over their workers’ status.
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Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "Safeway parent outsources some grocery deliveries to gig companies," 5 Jan. 2021 Psaki singled out as an example a rule proposed by the Trump administration's Department of Labor regarding companies' authority over classifying workers as independent contractors, rather than employees, under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
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Audrey Mcnamara, CBS News, "Biden to halt or delay Trump's "midnight regulations" on inauguration day," 1 Jan. 2021 The effort follows several legal judgments across Europe challenging the companies’ view that drivers and couriers are independent contractors.
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Adam Clark, WSJ, "Uber, Gig Companies Seek Labor Deals to Avoid Workers Becoming Employees," 30 Dec. 2020 Kemp’s office eventually referred some of the group’s independent contractors to law enforcement for potential prosecution on suspicion of forging 53 voter applications.
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New York Times, "Knocking on Two Million Doors in Georgia," 29 Dec. 2020 The union has proposed a joint CTU-CPS committee on COVID-19 that would include independent experts and be involved in inspections and directives.
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Hannah Leone, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago Public Schools’ reopening plan uncertain as hearing on teachers union injunction request looms," 15 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Lowell Catholic has left the CCL and is an independent.
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Jim Clark, BostonGlobe.com, "It may not be what they expected, but Hanover’s Manning Morris and Nate DelPrete plan to make the most of their senior season," 29 Dec. 2020 Twenty Democrats opposed the override, along with 66 Republicans and an independent.
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Matthew Daly, ajc, "Trump lashes out at GOP after override vote on defense bill," 29 Dec. 2020 Years after his prison sentence, Larson ran for the Virginia House of Delegates as an independent in 2017 and lost, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.
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Madeline Holcombe, CNN, "A pedophilia website operator has been arrested in the kidnapping of a 12-year-old California girl," 20 Dec. 2020 House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, an independent from Dillingham, about 860 miles from Juneau, said pandemic concerns come at a time when lawmakers will need to make tough budget decisions.
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Becky Bohrer, Anchorage Daily News, "Pandemic causes housing headaches for Alaska lawmakers returning to Juneau for next legislative session," 14 Dec. 2020 If ever there was a time to shop independent, this is it.
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Washington Post, "This year, give a holiday gift that evokes your favorite city or state," 2 Dec. 2020 Normally an independent in football, Notre Dame joined the ACC this season after the pandemic forced major college football conferences to drastically alter their schedules.
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Ralph D. Russo, chicagotribune.com, "Notre Dame clinches a spot in the ACC title game as the conference shuffles the schedule to give the Irish and Clemson open dates next week," 1 Dec. 2020 The Pioneer League, formerly a rookie league with teams in Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah, will transition from affiliated to independent.
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La Velle E. Neal Iii, Star Tribune, "St. Paul Saints to become Twins' top minor-league team; Class AA in Wichita," 1 Dec. 2020 The remaining commissioners are Steven T. Walther, an independent, and Ellen L. Weintraub, a Democrat.
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Camille Caldera, USA TODAY, "Fact check: Federal Election Commission chair has no role in election integrity," 19 Nov. 2020
See MoreThese 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
adjectiveEnglish 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
nounEnglish 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
adjectivein·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
nounKids Definition of independent (Entry 2 of 2)
: an independent person
independent
adjectivein·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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Comments on independent
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Time Traveler for independent
The first known use of independent was in 1611
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