Definition of independencenext
1
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!

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2

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 Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Cami Koons, Des Moines Register, 14 Jan. 2026 Even Mark doesn’t think independence is always the answer. Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2026 Listen to our playlist on Federal Reserve independence here. Sarah Gonzalez, NPR, 14 Jan. 2026 To understand why, listen to the opening-day remarks of House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, which carried a between-the-lines declaration of independence. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for independence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independence
Noun
  • McDaniel could have autonomy over Philadelphia’s offense and build a career at a place that’s been a springboard during the past decade.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
  • As legal risks grow, so does their determination to protect access and bodily autonomy.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • But those hoping for a decisive intervention that tips the balance toward freedom will be disappointed.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
  • China is reportedly poised to approve the imports, despite a top-down push for technology self-sufficiency.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
  • This means both rapid, flexible investments to address urgent humanitarian needs and sustainable support for civil society and markets to help transition from assistance to self-sufficiency.
    Ciaran Donnelly, Time, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This feature turns a power station into a self-reliance tool, especially valuable for families traveling with kids, older drivers or anyone venturing beyond city limits.
    Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Chinese chipmakers have rushed to the IPO market, raising funds that are key to the nation’s goal of technological self-reliance and winning the global race on artificial intelligence.
    Bloomberg, Fortune, 31 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Independence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independence. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.

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