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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example 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 autonomy Users still have autonomy, but the list of choices is shorter and, importantly, more personally curated. Uriel Maslansky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 These women deserve the same resources, autonomy, and respect as their white male counterparts. Kedean Smith, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025 Mars will also oppose Pluto in your sign on April 26, so expect power struggles in your relationships or perhaps in situations that challenge your autonomy. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 In all these efforts, the health, autonomy and freedom of women and girls count for nothing. Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for autonomy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for autonomy
Noun
  • The casting choices might raise a whole host of interesting questions about how this Venice reflects our own time, but Leon doesn’t foreground, or even really acknowledge, them.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Key to his platform were a flat tax, medical savings accounts, a new Social Security system for working Americans, parental choice of schools for their children, term limits and a strong national defense.
    Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That independence gives them the freedom to move fast, speak honestly, and take creative risks that traditional retailers might avoid.
    Catherine Erdly, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage.
    David Betancourt, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea and has accused the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally—of acting as a proxy in American efforts to contain its influence.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • They were met by thousands of U.S. protesters, and a symbolic call for sovereignty turned into a bloody clash, sparking yearslong discussions about how Panama could take over the canal.
    Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Promoting public understanding of the principles of our freedoms is a critical component in the civic education of the citizens of the United States, Florida and each community.
    Lonnie Groot, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025
  • As an instructor for small children in her early career, Daube seeks to retain the freedom and fearless approach to art.
    Dawn Giangiulio, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • Yet the careful reader will appreciate the significance of the Puritan Cromwell’s independency.
    Barton Swaim, WSJ, 27 Dec. 2021

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Cite this Entry

“Autonomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/autonomy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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