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 The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 The above findings stem from a global study by the Upwork Research Institute of 2,500 professionals, including C-suite executives, full-time employees and independent freelancers. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 The Retired Public Employees Association of California launched a crowdfunding effort to finance an independent investigation into CalPERS’ private equity investment, among other concerns, last month. Sacbee.com, 14 July 2025 Why are Hobbs, Gallego calling for an independent investigation? Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for independent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent
Adjective
  • Ukraine launched autonomous craft from catapults and snared Russian drones in fishing nets.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
  • The autonomous vehicle industry is expected to expand considerably, and Waymo is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this burgeoning market.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Milwaukee police are investigating two separate shootings on July 10 that left two people, including a young child, dead.
    Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • During his appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark, the actor and television host, 51, revealed that his twin daughters, Charlie and Dolly, 16, will be in separate places for the summer.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most powerful moments of the night was the Waiting to Exhale tribute, beautifully curated by Adam Blackstone.
    Essence, Essence, 10 July 2025
  • It’s marketed as being 29% more powerful than other fans of its size by cooling 380 cubic feet per minute (CFM)—and Baker does not disagree.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • The government has met all revenue targets and is set to announce a strong sovereign rating from Standard & Poor’s, further cementing its economic stability.
    Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 14 July 2025
  • Among the seven cornerstone investors are Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, which is the investment trust’s second-largest shareholder after sponsor NTT.
    Zinnia Lee, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • For example, if Country A must import jet engines or microchips from Country B, Country A might try to hack Country B’s companies to copy that technology and become self-sufficient.
    William Akoto, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
  • Bezos encourages his kids to be self-sufficient Bezos has encouraged his kids to build things with their hands.
    Caroline Blair, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Whether in rural communities in the U.S., industrial cities in the United Kingdom, or towns in Africa, the message is similar that men should be strong, silent and self-reliant.
    Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2025
  • Born on a New York farm in 1821, Youmans didn’t come from a notable family or attend elite schools —his name even derives from yeoman, a self-reliant commoner.
    Sabrina Schaeffer, Oc Register, 4 July 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
  • The 24-hectare base is a large and self-sustained compound, according to 2023 U.S. military documents detailing the facilities.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 23 June 2025
  • Completely self-sustained, the brothers, Lotia writes in her book, are not just potters, but make a living as farmers as well.
    Sonya Rehman, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independent. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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