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

That’s a harder one to argue while trying to figure out how the appeals board could overturn the verdict of the independent regulatory commission, namely that Abramovich’s Chelsea had sought, and gained, a sporting advantage. — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Now, researchers in China have overcome this limitation by turning almost the entire structure into a four-lane highway for light, allowing four independent microwave signals to travel side by side. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026

Consider how an independent bid recalibrates the top-two primary. — Dain Fitzgerald, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

On Friday, July 31, the independent metal artist, 36, shared the tragic news that the body of his 72-year-old father, who was previously a professor at Colorado State University, was discovered by authorities in Louisville. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026