1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
the director agreed to make the film only on the condition that she be given complete autonomy for the casting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independence
the state of being free from the control or power of another
finding the mother country's treatment of them oppressive and intolerable, the 13 British colonies made the momentous decision to seek autonomy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
Against the backdrop of New York’s Hudson Valley, the film explores faith, madness, autonomy, and the fragile boundary between salvation and delusion.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Over all, Zimmerman argues, this autonomy has been a positive force.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Can a single individual have complete autonomy over their life?
—Lana Lin
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
In 2004, a constitutional amendment created the National Council of Justice to manage the judiciary, which has vastly improved the functioning and autonomy of the courts.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Greg Evans, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Over all, Zimmerman argues, this autonomy has been a positive force.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
Can a single individual have complete autonomy over their life?
—Lana Lin
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
In 2004, a constitutional amendment created the National Council of Justice to manage the judiciary, which has vastly improved the functioning and autonomy of the courts.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
Use a frother to blend it with 4 ounces of water or milk (again, your choice) that’s cold, room temperature, or warm.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
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While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For observers, even small clerical mistakes take on larger meaning in cases already testing public faith in the department’s competence, neutrality and independence from political influence.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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By sending Rip off to sleep precisely at the moment America declares its independence, Irving underlines how radically life would be altered by the ensuing Revolution.—
John Swansburg,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The filing argues that the deployment violates local sovereignty and constitutional limits on the use of military force in domestic law enforcement.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Patriots are united by anti-migrant rhetoric, a critical stance toward EU policies tackling climate change, and the protection of national sovereignty.—
Karel Janicek,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the face of that, Keaton’s off- and sometimes on-duty style represented limitless possibilities, and a previously incomprehensible kind of freedom.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
12 Oct. 2025
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Lanthimos also discussed his filmmaking process with actors and giving them the freedom to try different things.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This visit was very important signal for our partners that Kyiv, much more safety right now, and also very important signal that Great Britain stay together with Ukraine, support Ukraine -- support our country in the fight for our freedom, for our independency.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2022
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Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.—
Barton Swaim,
WSJ,
27 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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