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

Examples 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 Each fellow received a grant and mentorship to launch an independent creative project. Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 15 Jan. 2025 In its 17th year, the annual awards celebrate the most outstanding shorts and video creators on the independent platform. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2025 The former legislative seat of a newly independent Ukraine, this national icon was severely damaged by a missile blast in 2022, highlighting war's impact on heritage and the power of preservation to catalyze healing. Neda Ulaby, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025 The show revolves around three generations of strong, independent women: Kat Landry (Chyler Leigh), her teenage daughter Alice (Sadie Laflamme-Snow), and Kat's mother, Del (Andie MacDowell). Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for independent 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent
Adjective
  • Smith answered by pointing out the great advances in recent years for autonomous mobile robotics.
    Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • His company’s cable car system, Whoosh, operates autonomous, five-passenger vehicles that move on demand and only stop at the stations requested by passengers.
    Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Prior to leaving office, Biden also advanced a separate tobacco regulation, one that would set maximum nicotine levels for combustible cigarettes and effectively ban all cigarettes currently available in the United States.
    Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The lack of rain came as seven separate Santa Ana wind events hit Southern California in January alone, Tardy said, a dangerous combination in creating fire weather conditions as the air and vegetation dry out, making brush especially flammable.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This part of southern Lebanon has been the focus of cross-border fighting between Hezbollah, the most powerful armed group in Lebanon, and Israel.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
  • His position once again puts him in charge of the world’s most powerful military, which -- often at his discretion -- can either engage in lethal warfare or act as a deterrent and a force for peace.
    Ian Pannell, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For O’Neil, the advantages of joining LIV outweigh the concerns often relayed about sports properties under the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s $700 billion sovereign wealth fund that has been roundly criticized for claims of sportswashing.
    Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • That is denial of the consequences of excessive sovereign debt -- our own, or that of other lands.
    Amity Shlaes, National Review, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Designed to empower youth and build confident, self-sufficient, successful leaders of tomorrow, Acewall Scholars is devoid of boxes and labels.
    William Jones, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
  • State of play: While San Francisco has made significant strides in coordinating emergency response operations since 1906, the fire department also offers free disaster skills training in an effort to bolster residents' ability to be self-sufficient.
    Shawna Chen, Axios, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In Putin’s current calculus, the specter of a sovereign, self-reliant Ukraine poses a far graver threat to Russia than the more distant prospect of economic degradation.
    Alexandra Prokopenko, Foreign Affairs, 21 Jan. 2025
  • One of those kids, Estrella (Paola Lara), joins a gang of self-reliant boys led by the no-nonsense El Shine (Juan Ramón López) in order to fight back.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 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
  • Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Hiking The pine forests in and around Stockholm can be explored along numerous hiking trails, all free and open to visitors thanks to allemansrätten, the Swedish right of public access, which is protected by law.
    Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near independent

Cite this Entry

“Independent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/independent. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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