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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
The Smithsonian’s board quickly affirmed its autonomy, but Sajet resigned shortly thereafter.
—
News Desk, Artforum, 13 Jan. 2026
Greenland was granted greater autonomy over its affairs through the Self-Government Act in 2009, a motion that enables the island the right to hold an independence referendum.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Maritime defense autonomy By hosting CUAS capabilities on a surface drone, naval forces can project drone defense well beyond the coastline.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
The freedom to travel freely will allow those of us contending with a disability to live our lives with the same autonomy and dignity as every other citizen in our city.
—Gian Carlo Pedulla, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
News Desk, Artforum, 13 Jan. 2026
Greenland was granted greater autonomy over its affairs through the Self-Government Act in 2009, a motion that enables the island the right to hold an independence referendum.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Maritime defense autonomy By hosting CUAS capabilities on a surface drone, naval forces can project drone defense well beyond the coastline.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
The freedom to travel freely will allow those of us contending with a disability to live our lives with the same autonomy and dignity as every other citizen in our city.
—Gian Carlo Pedulla, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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For a more specialized fit, the Petite Wide-leg Pants are an excellent choice for shorter shoppers, while the Curvy Wide-leg Pants are just as comfortable and flattering (and on sale for almost $40 off).—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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This is evidence that color drenching is a more recent design choice and might not be timeless.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In some countries, their recent liberation from imperial rule (The Philippines, Iran, Morocco, among others), tinged the era with eagerness for a future defined by independence.—
Diana Arterian,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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Several former heads of the central bank have come out against the move, characterizing it as an attempt to undermine the independence of the Federal Reserve, which is authorized by Congress to set monetary policy independent of the President's wishes.—
Time,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The new agreement says that Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to defend itself are non-negotiable elements of any peace deal and warned that its self-defense is essential to its own security and wider Euro-Atlantic stability.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Fundamentally, sending in our own military to make the arrest on foreign soil without the consent of the other country would still violate international law and the sovereignty of Venezuela.—
Elie Mystal,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Authorities have not said whether the incident constitutes a hate crime, but Jackson Mayor John Horhn framed it as an attack on the Jewish faith and religious freedom.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Jan. 2026
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But those hoping for a decisive intervention that tips the balance toward freedom will be disappointed.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
11 Jan. 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 18 Jan. 2026.
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