INDEPENDENCE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

independence

noun

ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s

Definition of independence

as in autonomy

the ability to care for one's self children are supposed to achieve some measure of independence by the time they are 18—so it's time for that 30-year-old to move out!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sovereignty

the state of being free from the control or power of another college freshmen often revel in their newfound independence

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 independence From 1792 to 1799, Clarence House was a private Catholic school, and one of its students was Bernardo O’Higgins, who would go on to lead Chile’s fight for independence and become the country’s first head of government. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026 Greenhaw echoed Wirt’s insights on a broader societal shift of how children are in highly structured environments with less free play and independence. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026 In 1975, the year that Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia, Luwi joined the second class of Fore children to attend a new government school in Purosa, a former colonial aid post, a day’s walk from his village. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026 The Incredibles 3 takes place just where the last one left off—well, a few weeks later—with Violet and Dash seeking independence from their parents. — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for independence

Recent Examples of Synonyms for independence

Noun

Explore the distinctive voices who use the Power of No to create focus, quality, autonomy and build a life of remarkable success.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Surfacing bridging content that spans political lines while speaking to what the user values could be a promising direction for fostering both user autonomy and constructive conversation.

— Farnaz Jahanbakhsh, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of autonomy

Noun

Regional conflicts disrupt stability, while economic security and technological sovereignty take on greater weight relative to the interconnectedness that characterized previous decades of globalization.

— Armand Arton, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
To deter China from threatening its sovereignty, Taiwan could restrict its critical semiconductor industry.

— Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sovereignty

Noun

The Council of Urban Professionals' 5th Annual MV Summit celebrated thought leadership in AI, financial freedom, luxury, and community building.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
In a blow to press freedoms within the US military, the Pentagon has forced out several top staffers at Stars and Stripes, the military publication with a long record of editorial independence.

— Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of freedom

Noun

Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.

— Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021
His seemingly daily attacks on freedom of speech, the independency of the judiciary, the right to vote and other pillars of our constitutional system are bolstered by an intensely loyal fan base.

— Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2020

Definition of independency

Noun

Azerbaijan has one of the highest energy self-sufficiency rates in the world.

— Daniel Markind, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Even sequels and prequels — say, those in the Star Wars canon — ideally aspire to a degree of self-sufficiency in which the audience can discern the story and, properly bewitched, can proceed to seek out the other movies.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-sufficiency

Noun

On the other hand, this forced self-reliance has actually made WP Engine a safer, more stable environment for enterprise clients.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026
The long experience of the United States in self-reliance has been followed by global entanglements which, while often brilliantly managed, have brought enormous disappointment and frustration.

— Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of self-reliance

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indentures

independence

independences

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“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independence. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of independence

noun

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