Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective autonomous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of autonomous are free, independent, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When might free be a better fit than autonomous?

While the synonyms free and autonomous are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use independent instead of autonomous?

The synonyms independent and autonomous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When would sovereign be a good substitute for autonomous?

The words sovereign and autonomous can be used in similar contexts, 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 autonomous The researchers used the actuators to develop a series of insect-sized soft robots that could exhibit autonomous adaptive crawling, swimming, and jumping movements in a range of environments. IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2025 Real-World Robotics In the U.S., for example, heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar is successfully using autonomous arms for welding and machining in its factories. Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 Major corporations are investing heavily into autonomous vehicles. Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025 Additionally, cargo haulers delivering supplies to lunar bases, autonomous vehicles performing construction and maintenance tasks, and specialized equipment like lunar drills and habitat modules will all rely on durable mobility systems to operate effectively. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for autonomous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomous
Adjective
  • But that would require Europe to build its own comprehensive suite of institutions and independent stack of technologies.
    HENRY FARRELL, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
  • But the Newsom administration has tried to discredit that estimate since the independent auditor published the report last week.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Europeans rightly worry an expanding Russia that is indifferent to sovereign borders is a threat to post-Cold War norms.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Traditional invasions involve occupying territory, displacing sovereign authority, and establishing administrative control.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As a secondary option, Engine suggests that if a standalone path does not appear viable then the board should consider selling the entire company or splitting LSS and BPS into separate entities.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Both Elvis Presley and The Beatles have done so with four separate charting entities.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Autonomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomous. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on autonomous

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