Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective independent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of independent are autonomous, free, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," 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

Where would autonomous be a reasonable alternative to independent?

Although the words autonomous and independent have much in common, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When can free be used instead of independent?

While in some cases nearly identical to independent, 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

When could sovereign be used to replace independent?

The synonyms sovereign and independent are sometimes interchangeable, but sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of independent Senior services support Senior services and aging-in-place support are rapidly growing industries driven by an aging population that wants to remain independent. Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025 The California Department of Justice (DOJ) was subsequently notified and responded to the scene to conduct an independent investigation. Shania Russell, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2025 The long journey from independent ball has led him to pitching for the Yankees as one of MLB’s best relievers in the early season. Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025 As recently as last spring, polls showed that almost half the population of Catalonia would choose to be independent from the rest of Spain. Coke Bartrina, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for independent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent
Adjective
  • Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and so are the Faroe Islands.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025
  • As experts have warned, autonomous AI agents tasked with optimizing in competitive environments may behave unpredictably—gaming systems, exploiting loopholes, and pursuing goals that deviate from human intent.
    Nizan Geslevich Packin, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Social Security Fairness Act triggered a separate wave of claims from public workers in 2025.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • But the actual preparation and administration of the deadly chemicals is done in a separate part of the facility, and that process has always been hidden from view.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran's biggest port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 40, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, as firefighters blast worked to fully extinguish the fire.
    USA Today, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The memo is the latest effort by critics of acting D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin to stop his Senate confirmation for the permanent role, which is among the most powerful federal prosecutor positions in the country.
    Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In January, BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink revealed he’s had discussions with sovereign wealth funds about buying bitcoin and predicted such conversations could catapult the bitcoin price to $700,000 per bitcoin.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Limited partners are institutional funds — for example, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds or hedge funds — that put money into venture funds.
    Natasha Turak, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Typically, this produces less power than a gas generator, but having enough panels and the proper circuitry can make your RV trips even more self-sufficient.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The campus must also be financially self-sufficient by 2045, or when the bond is paid off if that comes first.
    Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The government’s decision to expedite the launch comes as the country seeks to be more self-reliant in moving exports via air.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
  • More broadly, these efforts will strengthen India’s defense industrial base, allowing India to position itself to be a more self-reliant and agile force in the evolving global defense landscape.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to its momentum and self-sustaining nature, drive has another advantage over motivation: It can be developed and strengthened over time.
    Ryan McGrath, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Significantly, some states had self-sustaining populations of wild turkeys that could serve as seed stock.
    Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • The problem for the Ducks is that free agency looks to be a depressed market after Mitch Marner, and that’s if the Toronto Maple Leafs star makes it to July 1.
    Eric Stephens, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • All three services have free tiers with similar features, though RingCentral Video supports slightly longer meetings.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independent. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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