INDEPENDENT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

independent

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt

Definition of independent next

as in autonomous

able to take care of oneself or itself without outside help an independent young man who moved out of his parents' house while still a college student

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in separate

not being under the rule or control of another finally they are an independent people, after centuries of domination by their more powerful neighbors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 of independent in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web But maybe an even bigger takeaway from the poll was Harris’s lead with independent women by 28 points and women 65 years old and above by 35 points. —

Jared Gans, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024 Latinos are increasingly independent Latinos in the 18- to 29-year-old age bracket tend to lean left but register as independent and are less likely to commit to a political party than some of their elders. —

Astrid Galván, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024 Those include noms in the best British independent film, best director and best screenplay categories, as well as for best joint lead performance for stars Katy O’Brian and Stewart, along with eight craft noms. —

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024 By doing so, that additional tax relief may make the difference in lining up financing for independent projects, says Patrick Rizzotti, president of film financing company Blue Fox Financing. —

Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for independent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for independent

Adjective

However, Tesla plans to start fully autonomous, unsupervised Full Self-Driving in Texas and California next year for its Model 3 and Model Y EVs.

Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
Tesla has staked its financial future on a pivot to autonomous robotaxis, a risky pursuit facing serious regulatory hurdles.

Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024