1
as in autonomy
the ability to care for one's self
children are supposed to achieve some measure of independence by the time they are 18—so it's time for that 30-year-old to move out!
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sovereignty
the state of being free from the control or power of another
college freshmen often revel in their newfound independence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of independence
Nixon embodies the piercing wit, intellectual independence, and personal pathos of the poet, whose genius only came to be recognized after her death.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2025
This sentiment should concern anyone who wants to see a peaceful end to the war in Gaza and the creation of any kind of Palestinian independence alongside Israel.
—Nolan Lebovitz, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
In 1960: The Republic of Niger gained independence from France.
—AZCentral.com, 3 Aug. 2025
This is how children learn independence and responsibility—through trial and error, Chavez explains.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for independence
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2025
This sentiment should concern anyone who wants to see a peaceful end to the war in Gaza and the creation of any kind of Palestinian independence alongside Israel.
—Nolan Lebovitz, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025
In 1960: The Republic of Niger gained independence from France.
—AZCentral.com, 3 Aug. 2025
This is how children learn independence and responsibility—through trial and error, Chavez explains.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for independence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independence
Noun
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The company’s vision: a system that lets drivers take Zoom calls while the vehicle does the driving—that is, once Level 3 vehicle autonomy is reached and cars can reliably drive themselves under certain conditions.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 Aug. 2025
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Additionally, research suggests that high-quality listening can also help satisfy core psychological needs like autonomy and relatedness.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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While Washington threatens, Venezuela steadily advances in peace and sovereignty, demonstrating that true effectiveness against crime is achieved by respecting the independence of its peoples.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
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Protecting America’s youth and digital sovereignty cannot wait.—
Autumn Dorsey,
Boston Herald,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Now, some parents who are seeking political asylum are faced with a heartbreaking and frightening choice: Go back to the country where their life and/or freedom was threatened or stay in the United States and be separated from your child or children.—
Bea L. Hines,
Miami Herald,
15 Aug. 2025
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Either seeking a safe haven or freedom, the teens help break the horses that nobody else wants.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
15 Aug. 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
Noun
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The message was clear: Beijing’s main goal is not fast growth but self-sufficiency and technological progress. CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP Washington has not stood idly by as China’s tech and manufacturing sectors progress.—
DAN WANG,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Aug. 2025
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Years of tightening export controls have injected both urgency and opportunity into Beijing’s push for self-sufficiency, Lin said.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The move to greater … regional self-reliance for defence, energy, food and raw materials is a very long-term one.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
14 Aug. 2025
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And rural communities, with their strong culture of self-reliance, adaptability, resilience, and strong local ties, are uniquely positioned to benefit from and potentially lead this transformation.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independence. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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