1
as in choice
the act or power of making one's own choices or decisions
the director agreed to make the film only on the condition that she be given complete autonomy for the casting
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independence
the state of being free from the control or power of another
finding the mother country's treatment of them oppressive and intolerable, the 13 British colonies made the momentous decision to seek autonomy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
Her decision to walk away seems like an act of autonomy — until the final sequence shatters any illusion of closure.
—
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Daedone persuaded the swelling ranks of OM enthusiasts, givers and receivers alike, to join an experiment in communal living, gradually parting them from their wealth and autonomy.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Afterall, our struggles have always been interconnected in the fight for bodily autonomy.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Their platform is redefining the possibilities for senior living, offering resources about autonomy, connection, and inspiration.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
Daedone persuaded the swelling ranks of OM enthusiasts, givers and receivers alike, to join an experiment in communal living, gradually parting them from their wealth and autonomy.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Afterall, our struggles have always been interconnected in the fight for bodily autonomy.
—Quispe López, Them., 24 Oct. 2025
Their platform is redefining the possibilities for senior living, offering resources about autonomy, connection, and inspiration.
—Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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Vernengo said the reclassification of drug dealers as terrorists has led many in the region to assume that there is a push for a possible invasion of Venezuela, whose neighbors have no choice but to have a relationship with the United States.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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With fewer families able to afford lessons and operating costs on the rise, Jackson has had to make difficult choices just to keep his doors open.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Traditional narratives obscure the role slavery might have played in Texas’ drive for independence and portray the Alamo’s defenders as freedom fighters.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Their vision of Canadian sovereignty, linked to the preservation of social democracy and protected from American influence, was simply no longer relevant.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
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Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, has asserted its sovereignty in new and destabilizing ways, casting its political system as separate from and threatened by the mainland’s.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Steve Coppell knew how to manage people, play the right tactics and give us the freedom to express ourselves.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Other artists address psychological and ecological rupture, from Shirin Neshat’s haunting meditations on freedom to Sharbendu De’s visions of climate futures.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.—
Barton Swaim,
WSJ,
27 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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