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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
But Colorado's leadership had already been clearing the way for more autonomy on vaccine policy for months.
—
John Daley, NPR, 12 Sep. 2025
That is Level 2 autonomy, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
—New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2025
House Republicans took up a slate of bills on Wednesday aimed at overhauling Washington, D.C.’s criminal justice system and reduce the autonomy of the local government, coming as President Trump’s takeover of the local police department expires at the end of the day.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Over the next several years, Gorbachev pursued a sweeping series of economic and political changes that allowed for quasi-private businesses and greater autonomy for the 15 constituent Soviet republics, Russia included.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
John Daley, NPR, 12 Sep. 2025
That is Level 2 autonomy, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
—New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2025
House Republicans took up a slate of bills on Wednesday aimed at overhauling Washington, D.C.’s criminal justice system and reduce the autonomy of the local government, coming as President Trump’s takeover of the local police department expires at the end of the day.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025
Over the next several years, Gorbachev pursued a sweeping series of economic and political changes that allowed for quasi-private businesses and greater autonomy for the 15 constituent Soviet republics, Russia included.
—Celeste A. Wallander, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
The glamorous look is more daring than Robbie's usual red carpet choices, but stands out as a striking entry in the naked dress trend.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The choice is still ours to make.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The craft seller at a roadside market is earning her independence.—
Daniel Scheffler,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The trial and prosecution of Bolsonaro became a test for the independence of Brazilian judiciary, which did not buckle under domestic or international political pressure.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Peace cannot be achieved by ceding sovereignty.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
-
As with much of the South China Sea, Beijing asserts sovereignty over wide swaths of territory that overlap with claims by other governments—including the Philippines.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Critics and rights groups argued that both the ban and the bill function as tools for censorship, threatening freedom of expression, press freedom and fundamental rights.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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There’s a certain freedom not having social media available from your app launcher, knowing you won’t get disturbed on this device, but are still able to sit back with a good book, some light jazz, and… not much else.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 2025.
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