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
Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, said Tesla offered positive comments on areas such as its driver-assistance program and robotaxi — but noted investors were looking for more near-term specifics on autonomy.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 July 2025
Meanwhile, Alawite and Druze demands for regional autonomy continue to stoke popular Sunni resentments and risk triggering further cycles of instability and violence.
—Güneş Murat Tezcür, The Conversation, 23 July 2025
Women fighting for autonomy is a tale as old as time.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
El-Erian, former CEO of PIMCO and current president of Queen’s College, Cambridge, told Axios and other outlets that Powell should bow out to defend the credibility and autonomy of the central bank.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 July 2025
Meanwhile, Alawite and Druze demands for regional autonomy continue to stoke popular Sunni resentments and risk triggering further cycles of instability and violence.
—Güneş Murat Tezcür, The Conversation, 23 July 2025
Women fighting for autonomy is a tale as old as time.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
El-Erian, former CEO of PIMCO and current president of Queen’s College, Cambridge, told Axios and other outlets that Powell should bow out to defend the credibility and autonomy of the central bank.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
-
The city's choice to close fewer homeless camps in recent years differs from some communities that have banned public camping and a new Trump directive to remove people from the streets.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
-
With more injuries than several teams combined, the Los Angeles Dodgers have no choice but to add to their bullpen at the trade deadline.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 July 2025
Noun
-
China’s diplomatic rhetoric emphasizes its commitment to national sovereignty and independence and its opposition to the use of force against other states—principles that align with the UN Charter and that reflect Ukraine’s position.—
Da Wei,
Foreign Affairs,
29 July 2025
-
Still, activists among these communities frequently accuse the government of oppression, while others have taken up arms in the name of greater autonomy or even independence.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
The East Asian neighbors have two ongoing disputes in the East China Sea: one over the sovereignty of the uninhabited Senkaku island group—administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing as the Diaoyu Islands—and the other over energy exploration in the region.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
-
With strong regulatory foresight and a commitment to digital sovereignty, the region is turning trust and transparency into competitive advantages.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Plastic kits allow for greater freedom of assembly and wilder designs.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The fight for freedom has defined the American story for centuries.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share