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

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 independent Agatha’s Almanac, a portrait of a simple life led by a fiercely independent Mennonite woman on her ancestral farm in southern Manitoba. Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025 Gloria Trevi is entering a new era of sorts, marked by the release of the first album under her new independent label. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 2 May 2025 Hall will continue producing independent film projects with his partner Pam Renall at Retinue Media. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 May 2025 Because the world is better off with fewer rather than more nuclear actors, America will not be safer if Europe expands its capacity for independent nuclear action. Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for independent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent
Adjective
  • What remains deeply felt in his video is that China looms in the rearview—with the country possessing a vast manufacturing machine that dominates the electric car market and is now aimed at mastering autonomous vehicles—and that the U.S. cannot lift its foot off the accelerator.
    Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 2 May 2025
  • Last week, federal regulators eased rules for testing autonomous vehicles, boosting Tesla's stock.
    Abhirup Roy and Bipasha Dey, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Social Security Fairness Act triggered a separate wave of claims from public workers in 2025.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Before Thatcher Demko missed extended stretches of games with three separate injuries, including an unprecedented knee tear.
    Thomas Drance, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The death toll from a powerful explosion at Iran's biggest port of Bandar Abbas has risen to at least 40, with more than 1,200 people injured, state media reported on Sunday, as firefighters blast worked to fully extinguish the fire.
    USA Today, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • The grip held by the SEC and Big Ten on college football has grown more powerful in recent years, and now their collective reign of dominance also extends to the NFL Draft.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Unlike most of football’s recent risers, Glimt’s ascent has not coincided with a takeover from a billionaire or sovereign wealth fund.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Spanning nearly two decades of work, the exhibition, currently on view at The Whitney Museum of American Art is an assemblage of close to 50 portraits that reimagine the American realist tradition by centering Black subjects in moments of stillness, style, and sovereign presence.
    Najha Zigbi-Johnson, Essence, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Typically, this produces less power than a gas generator, but having enough panels and the proper circuitry can make your RV trips even more self-sufficient.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The campus must also be financially self-sufficient by 2045, or when the bond is paid off if that comes first.
    Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The government’s decision to expedite the launch comes as the country seeks to be more self-reliant in moving exports via air.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
  • More broadly, these efforts will strengthen India’s defense industrial base, allowing India to position itself to be a more self-reliant and agile force in the evolving global defense landscape.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to its momentum and self-sustaining nature, drive has another advantage over motivation: It can be developed and strengthened over time.
    Ryan McGrath, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Significantly, some states had self-sustaining populations of wild turkeys that could serve as seed stock.
    Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023
Adjective
  • Sun Sentinel Florida Legislature approves repeal of ‘free kill’ malpractice law A Florida bill that would repeal a controversial law limiting medical-malpractice lawsuits is now ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2025
  • Risk of resurgence For decades, the US and Central America have mostly been free of screwworms, a fact that is estimated to have saved US farmers $900 million every year.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independent. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

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