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 Canaccord downgrades Uber to hold from buy After a change in analyst coverage, the firm downgraded both stocks on concerns about autonomous vehicles. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 27 June 2025 Rumbles have been heard for years of artificial intelligence entering the physical world, but no example is more tangible than the autonomous taxi company Waymo. Time Staff, Time, 26 June 2025 In addition, both the general public and the trucking industry have expressed concerns about the safety of current autonomous technology. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 June 2025 The world’s largest island has been thrust into the geopolitical spotlight in recent months, with U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly saying that Washington should control the autonomous Danish territory — even refusing to rule out the use of military or economic force. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for autonomous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomous
Adjective
  • Annika Freyer has been named president of Fondation Chanel, while Elizabeth Broderick will become an independent chair of the board.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • When Quaker acquired the quirky beverage brand for $1.7 billion, Snapple had built its success on unconventional marketing and distribution through small, independent distributors that matched its authentic, anti-establishment brand identity.
    Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The African Union is set to launch its own credit ratings agency this year to help challenge the establishment with additional transparency for African sovereign ratings.
    Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
  • The company’s pre-IPO investors include Singaporean sovereign wealth fund Temasek.
    Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Organizations are shifting language, realigning DEI to business outcomes, and measuring impact to weave it into their core operations rather than treating it as a separate initiative.
    Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • But under Taiwan's constitution, mainland China is not treated as a fully separate country.
    Ashish Valentine, NPR, 29 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Autonomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomous. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on autonomous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!