Synonyms of independent

independent

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt 

1

as in autonomous

able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help

an independent young man who moved out of his parents' house while still a college student

Synonyms & Similar Words

• autonomous
• powerful
• self-sufficient
• self-reliant
• self-dependent
• self-sustaining
• self-sustained
• free
• self-supported
• self-supporting
• strong
• self-subsistent
• self-subsisting
• self-determining
• resilient
• potent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dependent
• inadequate
• insufficient
• incompetent
• reliant
• helpless
• weak
• impotent

2

as in sovereign

not being under the rule or control of another

finally they are an independent people, after centuries of domination by their more powerful neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• autonomous
• sovereign
• separate
• democratic
• freestanding
• free
• liberated
• self-governing
• self-governed
• empowered
• self-ruling
• freed
• republican
• emancipated
• released
• freeborn
• unsupervised
• delivered
• redeemed
• manumitted
• unconquered
• unruled
• enfranchised

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dependent
• subject
• nonautonomous
• unfree
• captive
• bound
• subdued
• subjugated
• enslaved
• conquered
• fettered
• subordinate
• non-self-governing
• subservient
• inferior

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective independent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of independent are autonomous, free, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.

the colony's struggle to become independent

Where would autonomous be a reasonable alternative to independent?

Although the words autonomous and independent have much in common, autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When can free be used instead of independent?

While in some cases nearly identical to independent, free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.

you're free to do as you like

When could sovereign be used to replace independent?

The synonyms sovereign and independent are sometimes interchangeable, but sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of independent

But if Swalwell drops out, will moderate Democrat and independent voters take a new look at him? —Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026

At that time, Shakhtar had won just one of the first 13 titles in Ukraine, which became independent in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. —Colin Millar, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026

The free, one-day event centers on independent comic creators, cosplay, and beginner-friendly Dungeons and Dragons, offering a smaller, more focused alternative to traditional conventions. —Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026

Tommy Trenchard is an independent photojournalist based in Cape Town, South Africa. —Julie Bourdin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026