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
In the end, some people realize their ideals about communalism are less important than having autonomy over their time or dinner menu, and that’s why many co-ops fall apart.
—
Kayla Levy, Curbed, 6 Feb. 2025
Greenland - with a land mass larger than Mexico and a population of 57,000 - was granted broad self-governing autonomy in 2009, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.
—USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
Why Privacy Matters in Child Development Offering children safe and age-appropriate levels of privacy is vital for the development of autonomy and independence, says Kelsey Latimer, PhD, CEDS-S, RN/BSN, psychologist at KML Psychological Services.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
And second, in both titis and Barbaries, females exhibit a high degree of autonomy and are the executors of mate choice.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for autonomy 
Kayla Levy, Curbed, 6 Feb. 2025
Greenland - with a land mass larger than Mexico and a population of 57,000 - was granted broad self-governing autonomy in 2009, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.
—USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
Why Privacy Matters in Child Development Offering children safe and age-appropriate levels of privacy is vital for the development of autonomy and independence, says Kelsey Latimer, PhD, CEDS-S, RN/BSN, psychologist at KML Psychological Services.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
And second, in both titis and Barbaries, females exhibit a high degree of autonomy and are the executors of mate choice.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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While the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards 2025 was a more muted affair this year, with attendees’ fashion choices leaning more into darker tones and simple silhouettes, there remained some dynamic moments.—
Fernanda Pérez Sánchez,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2025
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With the press destroyed, and the future uncertain, Bargen had one of two choices, quit, or roll up the sleeves and find a way to keep the paper moving forward … .—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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President Trump has frequently attacked the Fed in the past, raising concerns about the central bank’s historical independence from politics.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
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Congress can eliminate foreign aid from the budget or end the independence of agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland was briefly contested in an international court by Norway in the 1930s, but Norway lost the case and withdrew its claims.—
Adam Price,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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First, both nations could pass a transnational agreement to form a union, like the European Union, meaning each country retains sovereignty and separate citizenship, but allows for free movement, and possibly a common market and defense.—
Talib Visram,
TIME,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The severance can mangle their sense of freedom, marring liberation with guilt and anger.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
17 Feb. 2025
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Local stories are powerful when they are told with honesty, self-irony, and a sense of creative freedom.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
17 Feb. 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
Thesaurus Entries Near autonomy
Cite this Entry
“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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