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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 autonomy
Defined by her beauty and its capacity to both beguile and betray, she can be interpreted as a destructive force and personification of the male fear of female autonomy.
—
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
The album, which was built around live instrumentation, also heralds Staples’ new era as one of newfound autonomy.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Trimbath frames this as a debate about free speech and patient autonomy.
—Kris Fair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Google’s objection focuses on preserving the autonomy for device makers (including Google) to customize AI services.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
The album, which was built around live instrumentation, also heralds Staples’ new era as one of newfound autonomy.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
Trimbath frames this as a debate about free speech and patient autonomy.
—Kris Fair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2026
Google’s objection focuses on preserving the autonomy for device makers (including Google) to customize AI services.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
Her activities of choice are perusing Pinterest and surfing YouTube Shorts—essentially a high-latency TikTok.—
Anna Wiener,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Escobarete is glad Campbell made the choice to become a Crusader.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
The Republic of Cuba declared its independence from the United States.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
That could provoke an outcry from nationalist circles, who would likely view such as move as a breach of sovereignty.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The British had imprisoned Jindan, and Duleep was forced to give away the diamond and claims to sovereignty, Smithsonian Magazine recounts.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The standard model includes 5-degree-of-freedom robotic arms, with an optional 7-DOF upgrade for enhanced manipulation.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
1 May 2026
-
The protest damaged a Communist Party office, with some protesters throwing rocks at the building and hurling furniture into a bonfire amid chants of freedom.—
Jorge Carrasco,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 8 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
