Thesaurus

independent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of independent

1 able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help

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

Synonyms of independent

self-dependent, self-reliant, self-subsistent, self-subsisting, self-sufficient, self-supported, self-supporting, self-sustained, self-sustaining

Words Related to independent

autonomous, free, self-determining

potent, powerful, resilient, strong

Near Antonyms of independent

helpless, inadequate, incompetent, insufficient

Antonyms of independent

dependent, reliant

2 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 of independent

autonomous, free, freestanding, self-governed, self-governing, self-ruling, separate, sovereign (also sovran)

Words Related to independent

delivered, emancipated, freed, liberated, manumitted, redeemed, released

unconquered, unruled, unsupervised

empowered, enfranchised

democratic, republican

Near Antonyms of independent

bound, captive, conquered, enslaved, fettered, subdued, subjugated

inferior, subordinate, subservient

Antonyms of independent

dependent, nonautonomous, non-self-governing, subject, unfree

Synonym Discussion of independent

free, independent, sovereign, autonomous mean not subject to the rule or control of another. 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

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

sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

- separate and sovereign armed services

autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

- in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

Learn More about independent

See words that rhyme with independent Dictionary: Definition of independent Spanish Central: Translation of independent Nglish: Translation of independent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of independent for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up independent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments

WORD OF THE DAY

biannual

occurring twice a year or every two years

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games