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
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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of autonomy
The commitment to art’s autonomy has been eroding for decades, but the rise of the artist agent signals a more precipitous break.
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Natasha Degen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024
The bus is primed for autonomy For years, researchers and journalists have made the case that a better bus service is a simple way to improve cities and impact millions of Americans’ lives.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Anxiety is an appropriate response from a voter who believes that Donald Trump is a threat to reproductive rights, which would violate their moral belief in bodily autonomy.
—Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024
With increasing autonomy in many states, NPs are stepping into roles traditionally held by physicians, which has sparked ongoing debates about the differences in training, capabilities and quality of care between the two professions.
—Jesse Corn, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autonomy 
Natasha Degen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024
The bus is primed for autonomy For years, researchers and journalists have made the case that a better bus service is a simple way to improve cities and impact millions of Americans’ lives.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024
Anxiety is an appropriate response from a voter who believes that Donald Trump is a threat to reproductive rights, which would violate their moral belief in bodily autonomy.
—Shayla Love, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024
With increasing autonomy in many states, NPs are stepping into roles traditionally held by physicians, which has sparked ongoing debates about the differences in training, capabilities and quality of care between the two professions.
—Jesse Corn, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
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His choice for attorney general will be closely watched.Carl Leubsdorf, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
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The 6-foot Mejia could be an excellent choice with her passing skills and height.Dan Albano, Orange County Register, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
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That point drew closer still in late October, when the Umbrella for Democratic Change, Botswana’s principal opposition party alliance, defeated the abusive and corrupt incumbent Botswana Democratic Party, which had held power continuously since the country gained independence in 1966.Larry Diamond, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024
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Powell's comments are likely to be seen as a bid to maintain the Fed's long-standing independence from outside political influence, though whether such immunity actually exists in practice has sometimes been debated.Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Focusing on the rights of Israelis and Palestinians, not their governments’ dueling claims to sovereignty, will push the communities toward a solution in which both can live in peace and dignity.Marwan Muasher, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2024
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Meanwhile, the diplomatic wing of the Iranian government has taken a softer approach — downplaying the harm caused by Israel’s latest attack but pushing for an international response to the violation of their sovereignty.Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
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And this time, freedom might just be within their reach.Dateline NBC, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
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True freedom is not available to Aaron, not now and maybe not ever, and this little taste of it feels too good to let go.Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
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 23 Nov. 2024.
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