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
Yet even if the drones can’t communicate with one another, they can be made substantially more lethal just by giving each machine GPS, autonomy and a preprogrammed target, as was the case in the Ukraine’s recent Operation Spiderweb drone attack.
—
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 16 June 2025
Tesla has embraced a different approach to autonomy, favoring a camera-only system rather than a combination of lidar, radar and pre-mapping that competitors use.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Those in favor say the legislation allows terminally ill individuals to seek medical assistance in ending their lives under specific conditions, promoting personal autonomy and a relief from suffering.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
What still isn’t known Close friends or family members are often tempted to take away the financial autonomy of an older adult who is mismanaging their finances.
—Ian McDonough, The Conversation, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 16 June 2025
Tesla has embraced a different approach to autonomy, favoring a camera-only system rather than a combination of lidar, radar and pre-mapping that competitors use.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 13 June 2025
Those in favor say the legislation allows terminally ill individuals to seek medical assistance in ending their lives under specific conditions, promoting personal autonomy and a relief from suffering.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025
What still isn’t known Close friends or family members are often tempted to take away the financial autonomy of an older adult who is mismanaging their finances.
—Ian McDonough, The Conversation, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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His sons’ career choices mirrored their father’s: Louis, the oldest, named after his dad, went into the Navy.—
Belinda Luscombe,
Time,
1 July 2025
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Restaurants and Bars Dining on Westerdam is all about choice.—
Susan B. Barnes,
Travel + Leisure,
1 July 2025
Noun
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South Sudan endured a bloody years-long civil war shortly after gaining independence in 2011, and the United Nations warns violence has escalated in recent months.—
June 23,
CBS News,
23 June 2025
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Ada’s arc has been one of growing independence in baby steps: getting married, having the means to stand up to her sister.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Smart investors are watching for clues: insider buying, activist stake-building, tighter segment disclosure, JV chatter, and the sudden alignment of political and industrial interests around domestic chip sovereignty.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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With the Self-Government Act of 2009, Greenlanders became a separate people under international law, acquiring internal autonomy under Danish sovereignty.—
Morten Høi Jensen,
The Dial,
19 June 2025
Noun
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The wisdom of one MVP — and the freedom granted by Sparks coach Michael Cooper — helped ignite the greatest rookie season in WNBA history.—
Anthony De Leon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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Giuffre’s advocacy for survivors was an inspiration for Willis, who wore a dress with a butterfly pattern that day, a symbol that came to represent freedom for Giuffre.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
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 5 Jul. 2025.
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