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

That can set them up to be financially independent and secure in adulthood. — Dallas News, "Motley Fool: Skyrocketing Shopify shares, teaching teens about money and this week's trivia," 7 July 2019 The Kremlin does not deem Georgia truly independent, regarding it as a card in a game for dominance in the Caucasus and around the Black Sea. — The Economist, "Russia plays games with Georgia," 6 July 2019 But the civil rights audit represents only half of Facebook’s efforts to seek independent review of its potential biases, and the other one has largely gone missing. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "A conservative audit of Facebook’s speech policies is running behind schedule," 3 July 2019 Some celebrate the continuing demise of the free and independent press. — Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, "The watchdog of the Mahoning Valley is about to die: Phillip Morris," 3 July 2019 Anne is independent, brave and can be a bit self-centered. — Tracy Brown, chicagotribune.com, "’Amphibia’ creator eager for viewers to say, ‘There’s someone like me’," 2 July 2019 Under pressure following the incident, the MBTA announced an independent review of the system’s overall safety and Governor Charlie Baker called for a $50 million infusion for the system to accelerate maintenance work. — Aidan Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, "MBTA fare increase kicks in for subway, commuter rail rides," 1 July 2019 An independent review commissioned by the university found multiple missed warning signs before she was found shot in a car, but president Ruth Watkins has insisted there's no reason to believe Rowland could have been stopped. — CBS News, "Parents of slain University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey sue school for $56 million," 28 June 2019 An independent review commissioned by the university found multiple missed warning signs before the shooting, but president Ruth Watkins has insisted there's no reason to believe shooter Melvin Shawn Rowland, 37, could have been stopped. — NBC News, "Family of University of Utah student killed by ex-boyfriend sues the school," 27 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

However, the company would still have forged ahead with its restructuring independent of the economy, the spokesman said. — Ruth Bender, WSJ, "Chemicals Giant BASF to Cut 5% of Global Workforce," 27 June 2019 Not surprisingly, patterns, systems, and rules are central to the life hacking ethos, independent of any utility—and sometimes contrary to it, as when life hackers naively optimize dating yet remain single. — Joseph Reagle, Quartzy, "The psychology of self-tracking," 16 June 2019 That’s why, independent of a tax break, what philanthropists do doesn’t deserve our automatic praise. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "The case against billionaire philanthropy," 17 Dec. 2018 Officials once largely tolerated the unregistered Protestant house churches that sprang up independent of the official Christian Council, clamping down on some while allowing others to grow. — Yanan Wang, Fox News, "Christian heartland opens window into fight for China's soul," 7 Aug. 2018 Many have relationships that go back years, independent of their current employers. — Rory Smith, New York Times, "When the World’s Greatest Soccer Players Gather, Scouts Stay Away," 5 July 2018 Other major candidates in the overall governor's race include Gov. Bill Walker, running independent of any party, and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, a Democrat. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Republican Scott Hawkins withdraws from Alaska governor’s race, citing entry of Treadwell," 2 July 2018 The party successfully portrayed itself as the embodiment of the interests of Mexico’s working-class multitudes and as a government independent of the Cold War foreign policy of the United States. — Patrick J. Mcdonnell, latimes.com, "In Mexico, a victory at long last for the left and a two-time loser," 2 July 2018 Since that time Mexico's voting technology has improved, an electoral body independent of the executive branch has been created and results are no longer delivered by phone. — Andrea Rodriguez, chicagotribune.com, "Ahead of Mexico's presidential election, fears and warnings over possible fraud," 29 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.