AUTONOMOUS Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'autonomous' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of autonomous are free , independent , and sovereign . While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government. // in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

Q: When might 'free' be a better fit than 'autonomous'?

While the synonyms free and autonomous are close in meaning, 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'independent' instead of 'autonomous'?

The synonyms independent and autonomous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Q: When would 'sovereign' be a good substitute for 'autonomous'?

The words sovereign and autonomous can be used in similar contexts, 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

autonomous

adjective

ȯ-ˈtä-nə-məs

Definition of autonomous next

as in independent

not being under the rule or control of another Native American nations are regarded as autonomous in many respects and thus not subject to a number of state and local laws

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How does the adjective autonomous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of autonomous are free, independent, and sovereign. While all these words mean "not subject to the rule or control of another," autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

When might free be a better fit than autonomous?

While the synonyms free and autonomous are close in meaning, 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 is it sensible to use independent instead of autonomous?

The synonyms independent and autonomous are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

When would sovereign be a good substitute for autonomous?

The words sovereign and autonomous can be used in similar contexts, 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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of autonomous But unlike Biden, Trump has irked U.S. allies and partners with his recent remarks on possibly annexing Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, and making Canada the 51st American state. —

Ken Moritsugu, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2025 The law enforcement action followed a bureau investigation triggered by naval operatives' report on a group of Chinese citizens suspected of conducting surveillance under the guise of developing an autonomous vehicle. —

Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 The experience would inspire Brodie nearly two decades later to launch a software startup that gives autonomous helicopters and other aircraft the capability to perceive and suppress wildfires. —

Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 One is the prospect that uncontrolled diffusion of advanced AI could empower the world’s most dangerous state and nonstate actors, and potentially rogue autonomous AI systems themselves, to develop catastrophic cyber- and bioweapons or unleash other existential national security threats. —

Colin H. Kahl, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for autonomous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomous

Adjective

Because for me, an independent film is a film that almost doesn’t get made.

— Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.

— Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2025