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
Researchers warned about relinquishing autonomy without interpretability.
—
Victoria Bousis, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
He was allowed to make the hire without a committee, autonomy in running the athletics department that not all ADs have.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
The Kurdish groups have armed members inside Iran and seek a confederal system allowing their region autonomy while remaining part of the Iranian state.
—Stella Martany, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The Kurdish regions in western Iran have long pushed for greater autonomy or independence, as well as improved rights.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Victoria Bousis, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
He was allowed to make the hire without a committee, autonomy in running the athletics department that not all ADs have.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
The Kurdish groups have armed members inside Iran and seek a confederal system allowing their region autonomy while remaining part of the Iranian state.
—Stella Martany, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
The Kurdish regions in western Iran have long pushed for greater autonomy or independence, as well as improved rights.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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Atrani In Positano’s quieter Fornillo area, this three-bedroom villa includes multiple terraces and garden spaces for dining, lounging, and sunset BBQs—and is a smart choice for those traveling with a larger group.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
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March 21 – April 19 Day-to-day choices pack surprising potential for peace.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As Europe races toward energy independence, this facility could become a primary feeder for a pipeline network meant to power the continent’s heavy industry.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Russia and China have criticized the strikes as a violation of international law and Iran’s sovereignty and called for a return to dialogue, but have not offered Tehran any material support.—
Jasmine Green,
NBC news,
5 Mar. 2026
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Mullin has also leaned into his ancestry as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and supported positions important to tribal citizens, such as advocating for tribal sovereignty.—
Sean Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Pentagon had accepted his compromise, Altman implied, because his safeguards were not smuggled into the contract as an arbitrary restriction of Pentagon freedom.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Enslaved by a tyrannical regime for nearly half a century, everyday Iranians long passionately for their freedom, as the rebellion earlier this year showed.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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 14 Mar. 2026.
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